7:00am Friday 27th November 2009
By Michael Purton
SHOP owners are urging councillors to scrap a controversial no entry sign blocking access to their stores.
Kent County Council’s (KCC) Highways Agency banned entry to Cross Lane East in Gravesend from Echo Square roundabout when the A2 was moved almost two years ago.
Owners of shops where Cross Lane East meets Echo Square have been calling for access to be restored ever since, saying they are missing out on passing trade.
At a public meeting on Wednesday with councillors from KCC they will urge them to scrap the block when its joint transportation board meets the following Wednesday.
Laptop World managing director George Girling says the shop is making around £500 less a week than the £2,500 it was making before access was blocked.
The 52-year-old said: “The highways agency needs to think about small businesses.”
KHA banned entry because lorries were being directed into the narrow street, disturbing residents, by sat nav’s programmed with maps designed before the A2 was moved.
The restriction has remained in place because the majority of Cross Lane East residents have supported it.
However, Swans Kitchens and Bathrooms owner Steve Bewick says this is not a good enough justification.
The 55-year-old said: “People living in Cross Lane East like the fact less traffic is going down their road but all that happens is the traffic goes down Portland Avenue instead.
“KHA have tried to solve one problem by creating another, and it’s not fair on Portland Avenue residents or the shops in Echo Square.”
Janet Waite has run The Sewing Shop for 12 years and says she is having to consider whether to renew her lease on the building because she has lost business since the road was blocked.
The 59-year-old said: “The highways agency should have put in width restrictions to stop lorries instead of completely blocking access to the road.”
Tonight’s meeting will take place at St Josephs Convent School in Old Road East, Gravesend, from 7pm. For details, contact Will Farmer at KCC on 01622 694032 or will.farmer@kent.gov.uk
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