A decision on proposals to ease Sandwich of its traffic issues could be taken by the end of the year.

The Town Team will present its green paper and responses from last month’s public consultation tomorrow (Friday) at the traffic forum at the Guildhall.

Cllr M.J. Holloway, town and district councillor and a member of the Town Team said: “What is happening now is there is a working group of stakeholders who are working through the green paper and taking into account the public consultation to bottom out these ideas and put them into some sort of concrete proposals.”

He said this will then go back to the town council in December with the hope that a decision will be made at the last meeting of the year.

Traffic issues in the town range from HGV vehicles and buses blocking roads and damaging buildings, speeding, and danger to pedestrians on narrow streets.

Speaking at the town council meeting last week, Cllr Charles Miller and Cllr Paul Carter criticised the results of the consultation for being “ambiguous”.

Cllr Carter said: “I think there’s a lot of ambiguity. I would have thought more than 150 people would turn up as that doesn’t give a true representation of the town.”

Cllr Charles Miller said proposals to make No Name Street a pedestrian piazza and Market Street a one-way road would not be permitted as it would stop emergency services and refuse collectors gaining access.

Cllr Holloway added that he was disappointed by the comments made by the councillors. He said the Town Team is a voluntary group and the process is on-going.

He assured the council that roads would still be open for emergency vehicles and collections.

Cllr Holloway also added that there will be more public consultation before any decision is made.

Mayor of Sandwich, Cllr Paul Graeme expressed his support for the group and the hard work completed by members.

He said: “I would urge the process to continue.”