Drivers have been stuck in gridlock as road closures, school-run congestion and an A-road crash clog up several routes.

A collision on the A257 Upper Bridge Street near St George's Roundabout in Canterbury has caused queues up to the Riding Gate Roundabout and past the Sturry retail parks.

Motorists reported it taking up to 30 minutes to reach the city centre from the A2 via New Dover Road. Further knock-on delays were seen on St Martin's Hill back to St Martin's Hospital.

To make matters worse, commuters have fewer routes to choose from due to road closures in Fordwich and Littlebourne Road, along with driving restrictions near the Westgate Towers.

In Fordwich, King Street and High Street will both be shut for months so repairs can be carried out to the mayor’s £1 million house.

The closures are forcing thousands of drivers who use the town as a “rat run” onto the already congested A28 Sturry Road.

There has also been heavy congestion on Littlebourne Road (A257) this morning, with temporary traffic lights bringing the flow of cars to a crawl.

They will be in place until the end of April to early May while utility repair and maintenance works are carried out.

Roads surrounding the Westgate Towers will be shut off at various points for 12 months as part of a £1.5 million scheme to transform the area.

The first of three rounds of roadworks began yesterday (Tuesday) and is estimated to last five months. It will see St Peter’s Place closed - save for access to homes - between the ring-road at St Peter’s roundabout and the Towers.

Traffic travelling the other way, through the Towers, will be unaffected.

The closure will be reversed during phase two of the project, with Wincheap-bound vehicles unable to travel under the gateway and along St Peter’s Place, towards the ring-road.

During this phase, traffic heading towards St Dunstan’s Street will be allowed to drive around the side of the Towers.

Phase three of the project will see St Peter’s Place resurfaced between the ring-road roundabout and Tower Way, with the road shut overnight.

The final two phases are expected to last about seven months.