Stagecoach reroutes buses away from Westgate Towers in Canterbury
Westgate Towers has been
closed to traffic since last March
by Alex Claridge
A bus firm is to divert its Canterbury drivers amid fears they
could damage a 14th century monument or even risk breaking the
law.
Stagecoach will reroute its buses going into the
city away from the Westgate Towers area when the traffic
scheme is scrapped after Easter.
It comes after drivers were told if they pull in their off-side
mirrors in order to squeeze through the gap in the towers they
could be charged with driving without due care and attention.
Drivers had also risked clipping the monument's 14th
century brickwork because the space was so tight.
Now Stagecoach will reroute its services into Canterbury along
London Road and Rheims Way, but those going out of the city will
continue to swing round
the towers.
It comes after the city council introduced the new road layout
for St Dunstan’s Street as a one-year trial last March in an effort
to cut traffic and pollution in the historic quarter of
Canterbury.
Traffic in Canterbury on
the first day of the closure
It banned all vehicles from passing through the towers and
forced traffic to go round them.
Critics blame the system for adding to the problems of
Canterbury’s already constipated road network and highways chiefs
at county hall decided to terminate the trial after a year instead
of making it permanent.
But Stagecoach in East Kent, which is based at Canterbury bus
station, was among its backers.
Speaking on Monday as he announced the rerouted services,
commercial director Jeremy Cooper said: “We supported the trial
scheme not only because of the potential improved environment for
pedestrians but also because we believed it would provide a
long-term solution for the problems
of getting buses past the Westgate Towers.
“However, we also recognised that there were issues with
displaced traffic
and are pleased that the trial will be allowed to run its full
course.
"We will continue to work with KCC and CCC to help find the best
long term
solution for everyone.”
Buses introduced since 2000 are wider than their predecessors
and often clipped their wing mirrors on the towers.
05/03/13
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