A leading county council transport boss says traffic has improved since the controversial Westgate Towers trial was reversed.

The scheme to close the historic monument to cars was scrapped in April – despite Canterbury City Council’s desire to continue it.

And now Kent County Council’s head of transportation, Tim Read, has revealed congestion levels are not only lower than they were during the 12-month experiment, but also an improvement on before its introduction.

The council’s ruling executive committee wanted to maintain the measures while a permanent road plan was formulated.

But it was overruled by the county council, which opted to remove the scheme in response to mounting criticism from some residents and traders.

Mr Read’s report, which will be considered by the council’s Joint Transportation Board next week, says: “Traffic levels have remained low and generally there are reduced delays in the area.

“Traffic patterns have not returned to pre-trial, particularly without the bus services that used to travel through the area.”

Mr Read was referring to bus operator Stagecoach’s decision to stop services through St Dunstan’s, after its new fleet of vehicles proved too wide to fit through the towers.

The report’s findings came as no surprise to Steve Coombs, who spearheaded the Get Canterbury Moving campaign to scrap the experiment.

He said: “We expected traffic to improve, but I don’t agree that it is now better than it was before the trial. The whole district flowed a lot better before.

“The council expected more people to give up using their cars, but it didn’t happen like that.”

Mr Coombs says the group now planned to call for safety railings to be re-instated and width restrictions to be put in place to stop lorries attempting to pass through the towers.

“But looking at the traffic now, it’s pretty dire. Other pedestrians and cyclists I’ve spoken to also say it’s much worse" - resident Jo Kidd

But St Dunstan’s resident Jo Kidd, who runs pro-trial group Canterbury Alliance for Sustainable Transport, questioned when the report had been compiled.

She said: “Immediately after the trial was removed, there was a honeymoon period. It was quite pleasant at first, because drivers had found other routes.

“But looking at the traffic now, it’s pretty dire. Other pedestrians and cyclists I’ve spoken to also say it’s much worse.

“Cars have now returned to the area, and there’s been lots of revving and speeding. It’s a nightmare for pedestrians.”

A steering group has been set up comprising city and county councillors, businesses and transport operators, which will help to develop a permanent scheme for the area.

Mr Read added: “All possible solutions will be considered in this process but it is unlikely that a permanent solution will be identified and constructed before the end of this calendar year.”