Taxi drivers are calling for a U-turn on a decision to stop them from using a town centre bus gate.

Gravesham Taxi Association are urging Kent County Council (KCC) to remove a restriction meaning only buses can use a road at the junction of Clive Road, Barrack Row and Garrick Street in Gravesend.

The bus gate was installed where the three streets meet in 2018, allowing only buses and cyclists through.

It was resurfaced in blue to make it more obvious and obsolete signs were removed in 2022 as part of a £2.5 million transport improvement project.

In July 2022, KCC was given new powers to enforce moving traffic offences and since then taxi drivers say they have been blighted by the ban.

They say it forces them to carry out dangerous manoeuvres to turn around.

It is also adding money to their passengers’ fares.

Denny Stewart, chair of the Gravesham Taxi Association, said: “KCC is digging its heels in about not allowing us through this one gate.

“All we want to do is continue to do our jobs in the most efficient, safe and financially beneficial way we possible can.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous. We are allowed through the other ones.”

Denny, who has been a taxi driver for more than 25 years, is hoping to convince the council to just allow the Hackney Carriages and the locally licensed taxis through.

“We are public transport after all,” she added.

“We have been sharing that area with the buses for a long time before they put in that fancy bus hub.”

The route allows buses and cyclists through to Barrack Row, which leads to Darnley Road.

The alternative route for other vehicles from Clive Road is via Stone Street and Rathmore Road.

Only buses and other authorised vehicles, such as taxis, can access Darnley Road by entering the one-way system in Garrick Street, between 10am and 6pm.

A KCC spokesman said: “Government has opened the way for councils to enforce moving traffic offences.

“Like many local authorities, we know these powers would be a useful tool to keeping our roads safe and moving.

“We are currently consulting on the installation of ANPR cameras at the bus gate in Clive Road, Gravesend.

“Residents and groups are encouraged to share their views on our proposal through our public consultation by March 12.

“No final decisions will be made until all feedback is analysed and officers will continuously monitor the impacts and benefits of such enforcement action.”

People have until March 12 to have their say on installing automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras as part of the six-week consultation.

Between December and January, more than 600 motorists were turned around by police as they tried to take a shortcut through the one-way system.

The issue is due to be discussed at a meeting of Gravesham council’s joint transportation committee tonight (March 6).