It is the last chance for people to have a say on plans to introduce London-style “red routes” in part of Kent.

Medway Council recently launched a consultation on introducing the concept on certain roads across the Towns in a bid to help reduce congestion.

It means drivers would not be able to stop, load or park along red lined roads at any time, and aims to reduce congestion and help keep traffic moving.

It also prevents illegal and unsafe parking.

Councillor Tristan Osborne, portfolio holder for community safety and enforcement, said: “Ultimately this is about improving and reducing delays and lowering congestion, it’s not about raising revenue.

“Transport and getting people moving absolutely is one of our key priorities.

“When listening to people on doorsteps, many people expressed frustrations around the state of our buses and we’re looking at that at the moment to improve active transport, but also pick up and drop off times at schools.

“We’re open to consultation at the moment, we’re getting people’s views on whether they would like these proposals or whether they don’t want these proposals.”

Five “very busy” roads in Medway have been announced as the first phase of red routes and depending on public feedback, could be introduced by the end of the year.

These include:

1.Corporation Street between The Esplanade continuing onto Star Hill

2.Star Hill between Corporation Street and New Road/City Way

3.Best Street between Union Street and Railway Street

4.The Brook between The Brook Theatre, Whiffens Avenue and the junction of New Road (including Union Street)

5.A2 Rainham High Street between Maidstone Road and Meresborough Road

The red routes programme is part of Medway Council’s wider transport plan.

Another suggestion is to introduce School Streets, although some residents and parents have already expressed their concerns.

Cllr Osborne said: “We want to look at these ideas but we also want to take people with us so we will listen to what these consultations have to say and if ultimately people don’t want to have these routes we will take that into account.

“Depending on the responses we might make changes to proposals, or we might take the proposal away entirely.”

The red routes would be enforced using smart camera technology, which captures vehicle registration numbers.

If the proposal is implemented there would be an initial warning period to ensure residents understand the new system.

Once this finishes, motorists who do not follow the rules would be fined.

Restrictions don’t apply to emergency services vehicles and licensed taxis as well as blue badge holders can stop to pick up or drop someone off – providing the badge is clearly displayed.

“We are being aware of some of the more vulnerable communities,” he said.

“Any money from the payment of fines will be reinvested back into Medway’s streets to improve the road network so the benefit of any infringements will be going back to the taxpayer in terms of improving streets.

“In addition to that, this also not only helps us to invest in our road network but it also reduces congestion so ultimately if people don’t disobey the double yellow lines or the double red lines then there will be no fines issued.”

All of the bus stops, pedestrian crossings and parking bays along the routes will be unaffected – meaning bays currently using for offloading and loading will still exist.

Rainham High Street currently has double yellow line restrictions which give people a 20 minute period to drop off and pick up.

However, a red route would not allow this at all.

Cllr Osborne said the council would designate a time where business owners would be able to bring in goods to their shops.

He explained: "For instance if a lorry was coming to unload they would have to do that at a particular time of day so they’re not preventing commuter traffic from getting blocked up.

“It just gives us an extra tool to ensure that it lowers congestion at key moments of the day, and reduces delays to buses and other vehicles that need to pass.”

There will be an initial warning period for drivers to allow residents to understand the new system so for a period of time people will just receive a warning letter.

If you want to have your say in the consultation, which ends end at midnight on Sunday, July 30, click here.

Cllr Osborne said: “We will do everything we can to give people as much communication and heads up to these routes as possible.”