Worried workers warn tragedy will strike if drivers continue to flout a temporary one-way system in the centre of a town.

Canterbury Road in Herne Bay has been closed to northbound traffic after a building partially collapsed during Storm Dennis last month.

But Matt Lilley, proprietor of Bay Kitchens & Splashbacks, says vehicles including HGVs are driving along the route the wrong way, with many drivers carrying out dangerous U-turns on a pedestrian crossing after realising their error.

“There is going to be an accident and someone is going to get hurt,” he said.

“We’ve got a zebra crossing with kids going across it and we’ve got HGVs going the wrong way down it. It’s a shambles.

“We’re both sitting here just watching this. If a child gets run down and killed, we’ll stand outside and say ‘we told you so’.”

Marketing manager Kirsty Moore also says people are driving the wrong way along Canterbury Road “every 10 minutes”.

She said: “My son is at Herne Bay Juniors and I know he’s going to be going down this road any minute. It should be the safest place for them to cross.

“We’re shouting about it but nobody’s listening.”

They state that they have spoken to the police and highways agency, but the problem is continuing.

However, police say they have carried out enforcement work in the area in response to the issue, and have reported six people.

Insp Guy Thompson said: “On March 5, officers stopped four drivers and they were reported for breaching the order.

“There are clear signs in place, and those who ignore them compromise their own safety and that of other road users, as well as risk prosecution."

The one-way system is set to remain in place between Canterbury Road’s junctions with Kings Road and Gosfield Road until March 27, as the initial order has been extended by Kent County Council.

“Until the owners of the building have ensured it is safe, we will have to keep the road closed for public safety,” a spokesman said.

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