Cars and vans will be banned from driving up three of Herne Bay’s main shopping streets from Monday afternoon.

Complaints had been raised about cars and vans travelling along the roads, which prompted residents to request that all traffic should be banned.

It means vehicles will no longer be able to get down Mortimer Street between William Street and North Street, on Bank Street between High Street and Charles Street, and down William Street between the High Street and Mortimer Street.

All vehicles will be prohibited from the roads between noon and 4.30pm on weekdays.

Chairman of the city council’s regeneration and property committee, Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding, said: “The request for this trial has come from Herne Bay councillors and businesses.

“They have increasing concerns about the volume of traffic driving through Mortimer Street on weekdays and the safety of people out and about doing their shopping in the town centre.”

The initiative can run as an experiment for up to 18 months before the vehicle ban has to be made permanent or abandoned.

The current Saturday restrictions – where no traffic is allowed on the roads between 5.30am and 6.30pm for market day – will remain unchanged.

Cllr Fitter-Harding added: “A ban between 12pm and 4.30pm covers the part of the day when pedestrian numbers are at their highest, while still giving traders enough time to receive their deliveries during the rest of the day.

“We will be interested to hear comments from businesses and residents during the trial and all views will be taken into account when we make a decision on whether to make the changes permanent.”

A barrier at the William Street end of Mortimer Street will be shut to stop vehicles entering the road.

Three new loading bays – two in William Street and one in Little Charles Street – have been installed to help traders receiving deliveries.