Angry traders believe plans to make a road one-way will be the final nail in the coffin for their businesses.

Firms in Rochester and Chatham high streets don’t want to see Gundulph Road turned into a one-way street as it is a main route used by customers.

Car dealer Don Gray, who also owns several other properties in the area, has spoken out against the proposal and has collected more than 50 signatures from fellow traders objecting to the change.

Mr Gray, of Grays of Chatham, which has traded for almost 80 years, said he has already seen a drastic drop in business after Medway Council closed Medway Street to allow for the bus station to be built.

This, and the loss of the ring road around the town centre, saw many of his customers not being able to find his business.

After hearing about the new proposal, he decided to see what other traders thought about the plans and realised no-one supported it.

Mr Gray said: “The changes will not help out businesses at all.

“I thought I would go into a few businesses and shops along the High Street to see if anyone else was keen on the idea and I’ve not found one person who is.

“Strangers to the area have trouble finding us – if Gundulph Road is made one way we will be even harder to find.

“There is no right turn at Star Hill, you have to go round the back (Furrells Road) and rejoin the High Street and the only other way down is Hammond Hill, which is like a ski slope and there are always traffic problems in Manor Road.

“The plans are not going to help businesses here, we are already hanging on by our fingers. If they go ahead this will just put the final nail in the coffin for us.”

At present, the proposals are in the consultation stage and Medway Council has written to people living in the area about the proposed changes.

The closing date for comments is Monday.

A council spokesman said: “We cannot comment while the consultation is ongoing.

“Anyone who would like to comment on the proposals should email traffic.management@medway.gov.uk”