Roads will be closed for longer to keep pedestrians safer.

Shoppers will have safer access to Gravesend town centre for longer when extended hours are introduced for the area’s pedestrianised zone from next Friday.

At the moment, traffic is prohibited from Bank Street, High Street, Jury Street, King Street and sections of New Road and Windmill Street between 10am and 6pm, seven days a week.

Under a new Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) which comes into force on June 26, those areas will be vehicle-free from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Gravesham council leader Cllr John Burden said: “The opening of non-essential stores has seen a real upsurge in visitors to the shopping areas of the town, which is good to see and something we want to continue to help our local traders get back on their feet.

“With social distancing measures still in place, inevitably there have been some long queues for the most popular shops and businesses.

“The safety of visitors and supporting our local economy are our primary concerns. The extension of the time these key shopping areas are pedestrianised for helps achieve that.”

The new TTRO can remain in place for 18 months, but the restrictions will be kept under review.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend