THANET'S traffic laden roads could face a motoring meltdown if plans to alter routes through Margate are not considered carefully, say leading councillors.

They insist the knock-on effect on the island's main routes could be serious gridlock at already jammed bottlenecks and pinch-points.

The warning came from senior district Labour councillors as the Margate Masterplan for the town's rejuvenation is put out to public consultation.

The councillors welcome the action plan blueprint but are concerned that traffic flow alteration and restrictions could cause a major headache.

The suggestions include restricting Cecil Square to buses and taxis; making the seafront pedestrian only during the main holiday season; and building a new road along the old railway line to link the Arlington Arcade end of the seafront with Eaton Road.

Margate central ward councillor Iris Johnston warned that the traffic plan is "a disaster waiting to happen". She said: "Where is the traffic expected to go to? Careful thought must be given to this project.

"I understand there are 22,000 traffic movements a day along the seafront where will this volume of traffic be diverted to and how can our roads, that are already under considerable strain, take it?

"What is critical is that people have the chance to voice their concerns now they must take it."

Labour group leader Cllr Richard Nicholson fears that the overspill traffic blocking roads to the heart of the island could eventually meet with jams caused from traffic attempting to get to and from the proposed £100 million Westwood Cross retail centre.

Thanet council has stressed that the Margate Masterplan "is not set in stone" and is a discussion document to take the town into the 21st century.

Council leader Cllr Sandy Ezekiel said: "If the proposed changes to traffic flow are taken forward, issues such as pinch-points on the outskirts of town would then be considered further prior to any changes being put in place.

"It is vital that we get the views of local people on the overall plan being proposed for Margate and we welcome constructive comments. At this stage, these are only proposals from professional consultants looking at the long-term future of Margate."