Sheerness councillors have issued a stinging rebuke to Swale council following the emergency pedestrianisation of the town centre.

They issued a sternly worded rebuke on Friday insisting they had no input in the decision.

Their move came four days after Sandwich town council acted swiftly to overturn a similar ban.

Sheerness town clerk Yvette Cheesman, speaking on behalf of councillors, said they wanted to "make it very clear to the public" that the closure of the High Street and Broadway to traffic "was not our decision."

She insisted: "The town council was just as surprised as the majority of residents and business owners at the lack of notice and consultation this scheme was given and also at the speed in which it was implemented.

"Individual councillors have had, and will continue to have, their own personal views on the subject, both for and against, and it has been a topic of discussion at committee and full council meetings for the last few months.

"However, while various issues were still being carefully considered as requiring more public opinion, the matter was taken out of our hands."

She said Swale council spearheaded the initiative based on guidance from Kent County Council which was following recommendations from the Government to help with social distancing while shopping and to encourage walking and cycling.

Councillors say they are concerned about the effect of the car ban on businesses, the loss of free parking and the need for disabled access and want better warning signs for motorists and a warden to man the barriers.

They also want talks on moving the market into the High Street from the Rose Street car park, as in Sittingbourne and Faversham, and better support for cafes to place tables and chairs on the street.

The clerk added: "Unfortunately, none of the above had the chance to be given the full consideration it deserved."

Swale council maintains it consulted the town council before implementing the shut-down.

Sandwich town council banned vehicles from its four main streets after non-essential shops opened on June 15 but in a surprise move made a u-turn on June 30 after complaints from traders.

Read feedback from Sheerness traders here.

Lisa Whittaker said: "The high street was dead when I popped there on Monday. I can’t believe the council has done this just as shops have re-opened. I don’t think this will help shops and businesses at all. Such a shame."

But not everyone is against the idea. Leah Carey said: "I thought it was so much better being closed off when I was in town. Now we can move out of each others' way without having to step in to the road with cars coming."

Frances Wallace said: "I think it is a much better idea. The council should have done it when they built the Millennium Way. It's much nicer and safer to not have to worry about traffic and fumes and there are several car parks around the town centre."

Cars, buses and lorries are banned from Sheerness on Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Comments can be emailed to sheerness-tc@outlook.com or posted to the clerk at Masters House, Trinity Road, Sheerness, ME12 2PG.

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