Businesses say they face a crippling hit as all the parking bays outside their shops are set to be removed for almost two months.
Traders in Cheriton Place, Folkestone, say the move – part of a controversial £22 million project to transform the town centre – will deter customers at a crucial time of year.
From Monday, March 2, until April 24, the stretch between Sandgate Road and Bouverie Road West will become two-way, with all on-street parking suspended.
The change is needed while Bouverie Road West is closed for drainage, road and footway works linked to the council-led ‘Folkestone – A Brighter Future’ regeneration scheme.
But shopkeepers say the timing could not be worse.
Alexandria Clifford, who runs Wild For Flowers in Cheriton Place, says the works coincide with her busiest trading period.
“Mother’s Day is our most important time of the year,” she told KentOnline.
“It’s when we get our biggest volume of flowers coming in and out of the shop. It’s like Christmas for other shops.
“It will affect trade for all of the local businesses.”
Cheriton Place is usually one-way southbound. During the works it will remain accessible from Sandgate Road but operate in both directions, meaning the narrow carriageway cannot accommodate parked cars.
Mrs Clifford fears passing trade will vanish.
“People that would like to usually pull into the road and collect flowers won’t be able to park,” she said.
“It will significantly affect us because it will make us look like we’re closed or people won’t want to come down the street.
“People will be able to walk down here but we get a lot of trade by those just driving past and wanting to just pull in and grab some flowers.”
Natialie Brown, of The Sandwich Shop in Cheriton Place, says deliveries will also be disrupted.
She said: “We rely heavily on deliveries with Uber and Just Eat and the drivers tell us this is going to be tough. They can drive in but they can’t park.
“People otherwise are not going to come in because they can’t park. This will put them off.”
Georgia Steel, care and training practitioner at Helping Hands Home Care, just off Cheriton Place, says staff who need to collect equipment may struggle.
“I’m a little concerned about how they’re going to actually get people to follow a two-way system when it’s always been a one-way,” she said.
“We’ve got a lot of carers that have to come in and get their PPE (personal protective equipment) and gloves.
“They will generally pull up on the kerb and run in quickly, and they’re not going to be able to do that. So if they’re in a hurry, it could be awkward.”
A diversion route is in place via Cheriton Gardens, Shorncliffe Road, Castle Hill Avenue and Sandgate Road.
The works form part of the government-funded Levelling Up scheme being delivered by Folkestone and Hythe District Council in partnership with Kent County Council.
The wider project will see the former bus station at Bouverie Square replaced with a new green space, alongside highway changes around Folkestone Central railway station, new planting along Sandgate Road and a proposed 20mph speed limit in parts of the town centre.
The scheme has faced opposition, with drivers branding the Radnor Park roundabout revamp “downright dangerous”, while residents have described the bus station move as “ludicrous”, amid fears the new park area will attract anti-social behaviour.
It has also resulted in almost constant roadworks around the town centre while work takes place.
A joint statement from the councils said: “We acknowledge the inconvenience that these temporary changes will cause to residents and businesses and thank them for their patience.
“This closure is necessary due to new drainage, road and footway works that are required to create a safer environment for pedestrians and road users.
“Traffic operatives will be on site initially to ensure traffic flows efficiently and the set-up will be reviewed periodically. Businesses in Cheriton Place will remain open as usual.
“Once the Folkestone – A Brighter Future scheme is complete, residents, visitors and businesses will all benefit from an improved and more attractive town centre benefitting the local economy.”
Council leaders say the overall programme is now more than halfway complete, with work continuing at multiple sites across the town and the new linear bus station in Middelburg Square progressing.
Cllr James Butcher, Cabinet Member for place plan, heritage, tourism and district economy, added: “With a scheme this complex, disruption is unavoidable and we appreciate how frustrating this can be.
“I’d like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience while we shape a brighter future for Folkestone town centre.”
