Radical plans to divide Canterbury into five different zones in a bid to cut city-centre traffic have been branded "an absolute joke" amid a fierce backlash.

Council bosses have come in for a deluge of criticism since revealing their vision to ease congestion, which would see motorists fined for driving between new so-called 'neighbourhoods'.

Some critics have accused the authority of playing an April Fool's joke, claiming the "bonkers" proposal is unworkable and would double journey times.

Others concerned about the notion of segregating neighbourhoods have even drawn drastic parallels with the split of Berlin in the Cold War.

The authority believes its proposal - included its draft Local Plan for 2045 - will be the solution to combating continual rush-hour congestion in Canterbury.

Under the devised system, drivers would be unable to make simple journeys across the city as they will be banned from moving between the proposed neighbourhoods.

They will instead have to drive out of their zone and onto a new bypass - essentially a much larger outer ring-road - before re-entering their chosen neighbourhood.

Yet the project has been overwhelmingly lambasted by hundreds of residents.

Jim Somerfield wrote: "Great, so it'll be like Cold War Berlin but without the wall. I won't be living here that's for sure."

Others have made light of the plan, suggesting how the five neighbourhoods will be similar to districts from the Hunger Games, with opponents fighting each other to the death.

However, council leader Ben Fitter-Harding has confidence in his vision to transform the city's transport system.

Asked if the city will resemble divisions similar to those suffered in the German capital 40 years ago, he said: "I find it hard to reconcile that perception with the closing off of the rat runs.

"That is something residents have told us in consultations, and it is something we agree needs to happen.

"Bonkers idea - whoever comes up with these plans don’t live in the real world...."

"I completely understand the immediate reaction, we just need to help people understand how this can be so much better for them and their livelihoods.

"They are concerned without knowing the full picture - it's our responsibility to help people understand these proposals."

Fears over how people will go about their day-to-day business or visit the supermarket have been raised, with residents stressing the city would be "ruined" as a result.

Commenting on Facebook, Ang Edgar said: "Bonkers idea - whoever comes up with these plans don’t live in the real world."

Phil Wharfe wrote: "This will be the final nail in the coffin for this once lovely city. Why not build a wall around the entire city and keep us all out?"

Stephen Gilham said: "Are the council on drugs or what? What an absolute joke."

Cllr Fitter-Harding says he understands the criticism, but wants residents to see the bigger picture.

"A lot of people are writing to me or asking how they are going to get the kids to school, or get to the GP surgery or the supermarket," he said.

"This is a plan that will be 20 years in the delivering and so much would have changed by then. We're building two new schools at the coast, so a lot of people will be travelling to different schools.

"With the system being ANPR-based we'll be able to understand the journeys people need to make. We'll make sure they have access to permits for work purposes or to certain essential purposes.

"We have to remember that this only affects private car travel. If you're only going two streets away, you should be walking anyway or taking public transport.

"The public transport currently isn't good enough, and won't be good enough until we make big changes. I need people to come with us on this journey.

"A new outer ring with a bypass will help create a public transport system that is amazing."

Other criticisms have been directed at the council taking inspiration from the traffic system in the Belgian city of Ghent, which has a far greater population and a tram system.

But in response to the backlash, Cllr Rachel Carnac - a strong supporter of the council leader - said: "What is the alternative to improve air quality?

"This is something that cannot be avoided in this Local Plan, however much we might like to leave everything as it is.

"The highways teams and environmental experts say we must do a lot more, faster and much better. If there are other options that you think would work better then please put those forward.

"This model of zoning is working in other cities."