One-way trial to beat queues delayed again
Still no solution to long-running traffic woes
A one-way system which is being trialled to ease congestion in a town centre has been delayed – a week after the council announced it had started. The scheme for Hart Street and Barker Road in Maidstone was set to start on February 27, years after the idea was first thought up.
Both roads are notorious for becoming jammed, and are regularly used by motorists to access McDonald’s, B&Q and the Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre. Kent County Council planned to initiate two Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs), which would be in place for a year-and-a-half.
The scheme includes changes to waiting restrictions, street parking and introduced a oneway system.
An online consultation page was launched, including details of the project and a timescale, along with a feedback form that can be filled out by drivers and residents.
On there, the council said they would be installing a mini roundabout on Monday, February 20, at the southern end of the two roads near B&Q.
This would replace the giveway junction.
Vehicles would no longer be able to make a right-turn to reach the McDonald’s drive-thru and the new roundabout should keep traffic on a one-way course. However, people were quick to point out that no such changes had been made.
Others questioned the system itself – with one saying that the timings of traffic lights at Barker Road entrance should be adjusted to let more cars out instead.
The consultation page was updated on March 8, saying the scheme had been delayed and will be installed “in the coming weeks”.
A KCC spokesman said: “Works had been programmed with our contractor to install the Barker Road/Hart Street Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for February 27, however this has not yet been done. “Officers are working at pace to agree a new timetable with our contractor and hope to have the issue resolved soon.”
This is the third time the scheme has been put back. It was previously expected to start last July, but this was pushed back until November. It was then delayed again.
It’s been a controversial move from the start and there’s still some issues and concerns over how the scheme will work. Franchisee for Maidstone branches of McDonald’s, Ali El-Hajj, said: “Having a solution for the problem is a great idea, but this isn’t the one.
“I’ve written to MBC’s chief executive Alison Bloom, objected to the idea on the online feedback form and consulted with various councillors, but nobody is listening.
“The problem is the exit – the traffic builds up when the cinemas kick out or as the local market finishes, especially at the weekend.
“If the trial goes on for more than a year it will be a total disaster and will cause an emergency.”
Cllr Paul Harper (Lab), initially suggested the one-way idea in 2020 after receiving multiple complaints about the congestion problems.
Last January an informal meeting was held online with Maidstone councillors on the Joint Transportation Board. They agreed the system was a quick-fix to improve the situation, and Cllr Harper was promised it could be implemented in less than six months. He commented: “This scheme was promised over a year ago, there has been delay after delay and no reason. It’s very frustrating for residents.
“I know people who have given up businesses and moved due to the awful periodic traffic gridlock.
“We need to trial alternatives to the current system to see if the traffic solution for residents and businesses can be improved.”