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An MP has slammed the temporary closure of two High Streets in his constituency after the local council asked for people's views on plans to make them permanent.
Gordon Henderson (Con), who represents Sittingbourne and Sheppey, says the closure of both of the town's High Streets is "stupid" and that any suggestion of it being made permanent "will be the final nail in the coffin of our high streets".
The blast comes as Swale council announced it was running a three-week public consultation on the controversial pedestrianisation of Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham town centres.
Temporary closures were put in place in July last year, initially to help with social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic, but have caused uproar among business owners.
Over the past couple of weeks, fed-up shopkeepers in Sheerness have made a stand and have gathered to try and stop barriers being put in place at the junction with Millennium Way.
Sheerness High Street, Broadway and part of Hope Street has been closed to traffic between 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday for the best part of a year.
Meanwhile, Sittingbourne High Street is closed from Station Street to Central Avenue between 10am and 4pm on Mondays to Thursdays. Faversham town centre is also closed to all through traffic between 10am and 4pm Mondays to Thursdays.
Now Swale council is calling on shoppers, shop owners and residents to have their say on whether the scheme should be made permanent – either staying the same or slightly modified.
Mr Henderson said: "I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are concerned about Swale council’s plans to permanently close Sittingbourne High Street and Sheerness High Street to traffic, and in particular they are concerned about the effect this will have on local businesses which rely on passing trade.
"Swale council are running a public consultation on the proposals, which would see both high streets in my constituency and the one in Faversham permanently closed to traffic, once the temporary closures end in January 2022.
"My own view is that the current 'temporary' closure is a stupid idea that is slowly strangling trade for many businesses, and any suggestion the closure is made permanent, will be the final nail in the coffin of our high streets.
"However, ultimately, I have no influence over the council’s decisions, so anybody who shares my concerns should contact their local borough councillors and urge them to reopen our high streets now."
He added that residents could also have their say by taking part in the consultation.
"The deadline for submitting objections is June 14, 2021. If you care about our high streets I would urge you to help save them by taking part in the consultation," Mr Henderson said.
The results of the consultation will be shared with the Swale and Kent County Council Joint Transportation Board, and the council will then decide if it wants to proceed with a formal consultation before any changes are implemented.
To take part in the consultation, click here or request a paper copy of the questionnaire at capitalprojects@swale.gov.uk
