Buses will no longer stop in Sittingbourne High Street under plans to relocate the town’s market.

Changes to the flow of traffic so stalls can be moved are the subject of a prohibition of traffic order, published last week.

Traders are due to leave their current spot in the car park outside The Forum before building work starts on the proposed seven-screen cinema.

Swale council has been considering shifting stalls into the High Street and increasing the frequency of the market to include Fridays and Saturdays.

As part of the plan, the two High Street bus stops are to be scrapped.

They would be used as parking bays at the top end and, during the day, disabled parking and loading at the bottom end, and as a taxi rank from 7pm to 7am.

Other proposed changes include reversing the one-way system in Central Avenue, so vehicles could only head towards the High Street.

A council spokesman said: “The order relates to plans to move the market from its existing location in The Forum car park as part of the regeneration plans for the town centre.

“This will allow both a regular Friday market, and a new Saturday market, helping increase footfall in the High Street and support local businesses.

“The bus companies carried out a consultation and decided they will no longer serve bus stops in the High Street and will instead use the proposed bus hub to the rear of The Forum.”

Jean Spain, a member of Swale Seniors Forum, said a questionnaire about the changes associated with moving the market had been handed to members, but completed forms were yet to be received.

She said no one had raised the issue of the removal of bus stops.

Anyone who wants to comment on the proposed order should write to Technical Services, Council Offices, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HT, by noon on Monday, January 4, 2016.