A PROPOSAL for double yellow lines along a stretch of road in Gillingham, which has been described as “a nightmare” and “dangerous” by councillors, is to now be put to consultation.

Heard during a Gillingham Town Council meeting last week, if successful the proposed traffic regulation order (TRO) would prevent cars from parking between the level crossing and Melrose House on Wyke Road.

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Val Pothecary said the TRO was first requested around six years ago and she had been “nagging an awful lot over the last 18 months” for Dorset Council to make it a priority.

She said: “I’m really delighted that [Dorset Council is] now asking for our consent to advertise and consult on this - anyone who has driven westwards out of Gillingham will know what a dreadful bend that is.”

Cllr Pothecary explained to councillors that the TRO was first sought as oncoming traffic cannot be viewed where motorists currently park their cars.

“The whole thing is a real nightmare and I think it’s incredibly dangerous,” she added.

Welcoming the TRO consultation, Cllr Mike Gould said: “I’m delighted to hear about this, it is a very dangerous bit of road now. It scares the living daylights out of me to cycle down that road and also to cycle up it.”

The TRO proposal was also met with scrutiny from councillors however, with Councillors Keith Wareham, Dennis Griffin and Graham Poulter flagging that parked cars in this area act as a traffic calming measure, and to remove these could lead to more motorists speeding.

Cllr Poulter added that because the initial TRO was put forward around six years ago, before some of the present councillors had joined the authority, “it would be right to put the matter before the current council to then decide whether [we] approve or not,” before public consultation.

Town Clerk Julie Hawkins said traffic cones were previously put in the area as part of the research process and “worked really well”, later adding: “The town council applied for the TRO, we’re here, it’s taken us [around] five or six years to reach this point.

"I’m quite worried about losing the opportunity, a lot of work went into it.”

Cllr Mick Hill added: “It can only be a good thing to allow a little bit of breathing space to actually see what’s coming, without having to use the other side of the carriage way to get a good view.

“As this is really a consultation, surely it’s the public that will then decide on what happens rather than just us.”

It was resolved by councillors that Dorset Council can advertise and take the proposal for double yellow lines to the consultation stage.

A similar process was also approved regarding a proposed TRO for outside the Co-op, on the Queen Street and Bay Road bend.