Two meetings have been called about the proposed changes to the flow of traffic on South Street and Victoria Road in Deal.

Under new plans by Kent County Council, vehicles could enter South Street via Victoria Road, exiting via Beach Street. And the bus stops and taxi ranks will be moved to the opposite sides of the street.

Ben Hilden, of the council’s highways, transport and waste department is holding a consultation gathering at Deal Town Hall on Monday, August 3, between 2pm and 4pm so people can find out more and make their views known.

It comes after the Mercury reported last week that residents, business owners and cabbies were banding together in opposition to KCC’s plans last week.

Some claimed it could lead to accidents and confuse the already well established sharing of the taxi rank at the bottom of the sloped road.

Paul Lefford of Castle Taxis claimed disabled and elderly taxi users will be disadvantaged, having to walk to the top of the South Street slope to get in the first available cab - up by the regent. Exhaust fumes will increase too.

“Instead of lowering our handbrakes and rolling down the rank, we’ll have to start up the cars to move forward along the queue.”

Resident Richard Smyth is hosting a meeting at his home, 1 Beach Street, tonight (Friday) at 7pm.

The gathering is designed to share thoughts and determine what action should be taken for those in opposition.

Sue Shanks, who lives at Victoria Road, Deal, said:

“I haven’t found anybody who can find any benefits to this change.

“The problem is the bus stop, the pavement is very narrow and poorly maintained.

“Sometimes when buses arrive together it is chaos.

“I think it is easily avoided simply by widening the pavement.”

She is also concerned about buses affecting the access to South Court.