Action is being taken on traffic issues in Sandwich after a lorry became stuck in the town for 15 hours.

The HGV caused an obstruction in Strand Street a couple of weeks ago after coming into the town through the one-way system.

It was revealed by Ch Insp Steve Barlow, at the annual public meeting in Sandwich, that the driver had entered the town legally and had not exceeded the 7.5 ton weight limit as previously thought.

He is now working with the town team to find long-term solutions.

He said: “It’s not about enforcement but means of prohibition so they can’t actually fit.”

Richard Ralph, chairman of the town team explained some of the measures which are being taken to calm lorry issues and traffic in general.

These include signs in Deal Road and other access points into town which show a lorry with a red line through it.

Two sets of traffic tables in High Street and New Street, repositioning of the traffic lights at the Toll Bridge and an extension of the 20mph zone.

Mr Ralph said: “We hope all measures will be implemented this year.

“As and when funding becomes available there will also be measures for Strand Street and Moat Sole.

“We want to make Sandwich streets more suitable for pedestrians, young families, the elderly, tourists and cyclists.”

The town team will be conducting a speed watch scheme as part of these measures and are looking for volunteers.

Matthew Balflour, cabinet member for environment and transport at KCC said: “It’s very difficult to legislate for the idiot.

“Whoever the driver was he was a class one idiot.”

Carol George, secretary of the town team, disagreed. She said: “He wasn’t breaking the law. There are no signs saying there is a restricted weight limit for lorries.

“He was following his sat nav which hundreds of lorry drivers do.”

Mr Balflour took this on board but the suggestion that there should be signs which say no sat nav’s was dismissed.

Just a few days after the meeting, another 40-ton lorry was stuck in Harnet Street and caused congestion to motorists.

It is believed the lorry tried to drive down Delf Street and was backed out with assistance from the Port of Dover Services Team.

Sandwich Town Council was informed and contacted police and KCC Highways.

A spokesman for Sandwich Town Council said by the time staff had informed the authorities and gone out to take a look, the situation had been rectified and the lorry had gone.

Police confirmed that a council worker went to look but couldn’t find any trace of it. Traffic was moving freely by 10.15am. Officers did not attend.