Angry residents say council plans for a new zebra crossing and road layout changes for a new Aldi supermarket will cause chaos.

The city council wants to narrow King’s Road for the crossing, and block off access to Dering Road and Park Road at the junction by creating a public square near the play park.

In a letter sent to homes in the area the council says it will create more car parking in King’s Road, while traffic will be redirected to a new mini-roundabout at the junction of Gordon Road.

But Anne Newman, of Park Road, says the scheme will be a nightmare for everyone in the area.

She said: “I don’t know who in their right mind would put a zebra crossing there. Cars come flying down the road and they aren’t going to stop.

“There is a zebra crossing down by the schools and cars just go straight down.There have been some narrow squeaks.”

Mrs Newman, 70, who used to run a fishmonger’s shop in the town centre, also believes the plans will lead to problems with traffic flow, access for emergency vehicles, access for bin collections, and lack of parking.

She added: “There were no concessions for Morrisons when they came to Herne Bay. So I don’t know why they should bend over backwards for Aldi.

“The council made a complete mess of the Westgate Towers, so I don’t trust them with this.”

Meanwhile, community campaigner and Gordon Road resident Andy Newell has added his voice to the concerns.

He said: “I think it will be absolutely disastrous. At the bottom of Gordon Road we have delivery lorries turning into a cul-de-sac, so adding a roundabout there will achieve nothing.

“Crossing King’s Road is bad, there have been times when I’ve had to run across. So yes there will be a need for a crossing, but it depends on the kind of crossing.

“If you have traffic lights then you will find you will counteract the problem of speeding drivers.”

According to the council consultation letter, the plans will provide a “simplified pedestrian link between the Memorial Park and the town”.

The chairman of the council’s regeneration committee, Cllr Ben Fitter, says it is keen to hear people’s views about the scheme.

He said: “The proposals are part of our strategy to enhance the centre of Herne Bay by improving pedestrian links and providing outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.

“By closing the Park Road junction we can create an attractive space to link up with the zebra crossing that Aldi will provide as part of their development.

“It will include seating areas, trees, cycle parking and footpaths close to the play area, and it will also improve the pedestrian link from the station to the town centre.”

The public consultation into the scheme can be viewed online at www.canterbury.gov.uk.

The deadline for views is Friday, June 19, with a full report to be presented before a meeting of Herne Bay councillors on Tuesday, June 23.