Fed-up residents and a parish council have asked for answers regarding heavy goods vehicles causing chaos.

Members of the Hoo St Werburgh Parish Council have voiced concerns over the issue "in the strongest possible terms" to Medway Council leader, Cllr Alan Jarrett, while people living in and around the Jacobs Lane area have launched a Facebook page to highlight the issue.

Previously, the local authority closed the parking bay in Four Elms Hill to lorries in an attempt to ease traffic in the area.

However, residents have reportedly seen drivers ignore the restrictions by moving traffic cones and parking up overnight, resulting in litter in the surrounding verges.

In a letter to Cllr Jarrett, parish council vice chairman Michael Williams, said: "The result of closing this layby has forced them to park in local roads, which are not suitable for this practice.

"The main choice is now Ratcliffe Highway. In the last week there were 31 vehicles parked on one occasion and 25 at another time.

"As a consequence of this parking, the road can only be negotiated by both vehicles and pedestrians with extreme care, and there is the dumping of litter and human waste contaminating the verges.

"It is noticeable the verges and the roadway are suffering damage resulting from the parking problems.

"We are assured by Medway Council that the money allocated in the HIF bid for road transport improvements will be spent in easing the Peninsula traffic problems, but have not been approached to consult.

"Neither have we been successful in inviting a Medway Council representative to join a parish council meeting, or to meet with our planning committee to discuss the traffic problems that currently exist."

Medway Council is currently looking into possible solutions, including introducing parking restrictions along the highway in question.

Jacobs Lane resident Sharon Jackson has also seen an increased number of large lorries trying to manoeuvre small country lanes, causing significant damage to properties.

She said: "In one week, one parked across the top of the lane, then we had two lorries getting stuck at the bottom of the lane, damaging my neighbours' wall on both occasions.

"When the lane is blocked no emergency vehicles can get down to the house at the bottom of the lane, and it was blocked for 20 hours once. It is an accident waiting to happen."

In response, Cllr Jarrett said: "My colleagues and I take very seriously any instances of fly parking or associated littering.

"Upon receipt of a letter from Michael Williams on this topic, I thanked him for his correspondence and tasked council officers with providing him with a more detailed response as soon as possible."

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