Medway Council will no longer introduce traffic restrictions around a Rochester school after more than 240 objections were lodged.

Plans for a School Street scheme – which restricts motor traffic at drop-off and pick-up times during the school term – were unveiled for streets near King’s Pre-Preparatory School and Nursery in 2024.

However, the proposals were criticised by motorists and amended to restrict vehicles along part of St Margaret’s Street and the full lengths of King Edward Road and Lockington Grove.

The plans would also extend the existing one-way street in St Margaret’s Street and create a new one-way street along Roebuck Road, as well as restricting entry into Watts Avenue from Roebuck Road and into King Edward Road from Maidstone Road.

But Medway Council has now confirmed it will scrap the scheme and “take forward alternative safety measures”, after receiving 242 objections in a consultation during March.

Most respondents raised concerns about displaced traffic and congestion on neighbouring streets, and longer walking distances for children.

Only 10 letters of support were received, stating the scheme would reduce illegal parking and improve pedestrian safety, and no objections were sent by the emergency services.

In a report published today (9 June), the council said the scheme was initially tabled after “several requests from The King’s School to be included” in its School Streets programme.

“Having considered the consultation responses, the level of objections, and the additional budget likely to be required to deliver supporting measures that would make the scheme viable, it is concluded that the School Street proposal should not be progressed at this time,” the report said.

The “supporting measures” included suggestions for new pedestrian crossings along Maidstone Road, which the council said would be “complex” to install.

Now, the council will consider alternative measures such as a 20mph zone and ANPR camera enforcement of existing parking restrictions – but an exact timescale has not been revealed.

Medway Council has rolled out 14 School Streets since March 2024, with the aim of making streets outside schools safer for children, improving air quality and reducing congestion.

Cllr Alex Paterson, the portfolio holder for community safety, highways and enforcement, previously said the schemes “transformed active journeys to school for thousands of pupils across Medway”.

The programme has been funded by £486,000 from the government’s Active Travel Fund.

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