New measures introduced by Maidstone council to pedestrianise parts of the town centre have not gone down well with residents.

Businesses have already raised concerns about the new 'parklets' in Earl Street and now disabled residents are also unhappy.

The scheme's idea is to give a boost to traders following the outbreak of Covid-19.

By discouraging the cars, the council hopes to encourage shoppers to walk into town centres and give them more room to socially distance.

The council has expanded the pedestrian-only length of Earl Street, installing substantial new flower tubs at the entrance to the zone, narrowing the road access, and constructing wooden platform build-outs into the carriageway.

The intention is to provide outdoor seating areas for the town's restaurants and cafes - though to date no-one seems to have taken advantage of them.

Owners of The Living Cafe and F.J Burger Jewellers said the new decking is a 'nightmare'.

The council is also now locking off Middle Row with a substantial metal barrier. The road was already classed as pedestrian-only during the day, but the regulation was frequently flouted.

The new measures have not pleased everyone however.

The build-outs in Earl Street have been created over former loading bays and the disabled parking bay outside the Wagamama restaurant.

Blue-badge holder Keith Turner from Allington was less than pleased when he couldn't park in his regular Earl Street bay. Mr Turner, 70, has had trouble walking ever since a car accident at the age of 23.

He said: "I wanted to go to Halifax. I had to drive round hunting for an alternative space and ended up parking in Pudding Lane.

"What is the council doing? This is so, so wrong."

A spokesman for the borough council said: “A trial period to expand Maidstone’s Town Centre pedestrian zone was recently agreed by local councillors."

"While we appreciate this may cause some temporary disruption as the scheme is being introduced, MBC will work with residents and businesses where possible to find fair and proportionate solutions.

"Regarding the removal of the one disabled bay on Earl Street, while the council can appreciate this may provide some inconvenience, disabled bays are still available on King Street and Wyke Manor Road and a blue badge will allow its holder to park in any town centre short-stay car park for up to four hours free of charge.”

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