Fed-up shopkeepers are preparing to stage a protest against a town's pedestrianisation scheme.

Sheerness High Street has been closed to traffic six days a week for more than a year as part of the government's anti-Covid regulations. But business owners who have seen their incomes plummet say enough is enough.

Ricardo Aroujo, who works for RJA Electrical Services, has now launched the Sheerness High Street Against Road Closure campaign group on social media and is calling for supporters to join him in a protest on Monday to stop the barriers being put in place at the junction with Millennium Way at 10am.

Swale council says it is aware of the threat and has warned police and its contractors.

The Facebook page, which has 173 members, pleads: "They are killing our shops with the road closure. Help the High Street traders."

The campaign coincides with the start of a consultation by Swale council to decide exactly what to do with the High Street when Covid restrictions are finally eased.

Some shoppers say the closures from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday has made it easier to stroll along the road and has cut vehicle emissions.

But others, mainly the elderly and disabled, have complained because buses can no longer enter the town during the restricted times and motorists have lost 20 minutes of free parking.

Mr Aroujo says he has received a copy of the consultation. He wrote on the page: "Someone dropped it to us on Wednesday, on a day when some of us are closed. And they said it needed to be completed and back the next day. I’m going to write in capitals across the page 'Opening the High Street will be a good start'."

Alison Smith wrote: "We have done petitions and sent them to Swale council. We have been on council meetings but no joy. Nobody from Swale council has even been down the high street to do research and ask the businesses how they are coping.

"There’s a consultation supposed to be going on regarding the road staying closed or if people want it opened. But Swale council has not even made that public knowledge as to when and how it’s being done.

"There are a lot of fed-up shop owners who have had enough. Shops are closing because of no footfall. When the road opens at 4pm and before it closes at 10am the town is very busy. But it should be busy at all times allowing people to shop. It is all so frustrating."

Matt Brown, vice-chairman of Sheerness Town Council, said: "All high streets are under threat for a number of reasons. I agree that simply shutting off the high street once Covid is no longer a risk is not the answer. But nor is thinking there aren't all these other issues to contend with.

"We still need a plan because the next threat is losing shops through change of use to residential, which is a serious prospect."

He added: "Changes to licensing rules also mean it is now far more difficult to hold a street event which will certainly tip many in favour of reopening. But let's have that discussion and look at all options because currently it seems as though no constructive talks are taking place as emotions run too high."

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