A hated “Spanish-style plaza” blocking a stretch of seafront to traffic as part of a pedestrianisation scheme will reopen.
The square in Central Parade, Herne Bay, is expected to be unblocked for vehicles later this month having only been installed earlier this year.
After severe criticism, Kent County Council (KCC) launched a consultation to gather opinion from the public on what it said were refreshed plans for the seaside site.
A fierce backlash prompted the authority to set up a working group during spring which recommended ditching the plaza.
Now, city councillor Dan Watkins, a long-term supporter of the project, has revealed the scheme’s fate.
“The consultation on the plaza plans received 80 percent support from residents.
“As such, the plaza will reopen as a road and the rest of the active travel scheme will remain.
“The council will now initiate the very minor works required to reopen the road and I'd hope they are completed later this month.
“The plaza will then be available to book for one-off community events.
“The view of the working group is that this represents a fair compromise between a very diverse set of views.
“Certainly the end result will make our town a safer, quieter and healthier place for residents and visitors alike.”
After works are complete the plaza will open 90 percent of the time to traffic and then occasionally close to host events however, the town's divisive new traffic system is staying.
The council wants to keep one-way roads in place at Pier Avenue, St George’s Terrace and Station Road.
Its new proposals include reverting Central Parade to two-way and returning all parking and loading bays to pre-plaza conditions.
Cllr Watkins’ comment on social media explaining the one-way system will stay was met with some public criticism.
“The one way system is not necessary after the plaza removal,” one user wrote.
“It is dangerous and needs to be removed.”
Another requested the system to be removed claiming it has “made the town worse”.
A further review of other elements of the scheme, including the traffic flow on Richmond Street, was also requested by the working group and this will take place in the autumn.
