The Local Government Ombudsman is to formally investigate Canterbury City Council over its handling of the issue of buses going through the Westgate Towers.

It follows outcry over a decision by bus firm Stagecoach not to send buses coming into Canterbury through the 14th century structure after the hated Westgate Towers traffic trial was scrapped 18 months ago.

St Peter’s Street Trader Debbie Barwick says the move has hit business hard and is accusing the authority of bias over the issue.

Stagecoach claims that bus drivers are not legally allowed to pull in their wing mirrors to squeeze through the towers.

“We’ve got to this sorted and get our buses back" - Debbie Barwick, trader

But Kent Police insist they will not prosecute drivers for this and Paul Carter, the leader of Kent County Council which has authority over highways, said last year: “I can confirm that there is no specific legislation banning a vehicle from retracting its wing mirrors in order to complete a manoeuvre in restricted space.”

Ms Barwick said: “We’ve got to this sorted and get our buses back.

“I’m very happy that the Ombudsman is getting involved and is carrying out a full inquiry.

“There is simply no legislation to stop bus drivers pulling in their wing mirrors.

“We have got to get our buses back. It would solve so many problems. It would help traders by bringing people back into St Dunstan’s Street and it would allow people who need to get to the bus station to, say, get another bus to the hospital.

“I must also say that the Kentish Gazette’s coverage of this issue has been fantastic.”

Ombudsman Miriam Plant will investigate whether the council “lacked impartiality” when consulting Stagecoach over access through the towers.

She said: “As an investigator, I am looking for evidence of administrative fault which means that the council has failed to act in line with its policies and procedures.”

Her probe will hinge on a leaked email in which transport manager Richard Moore to Stagecoach bosses in late March 2013 when it looked likely that KCC would order the Westgate Towers traffic trial to be scrapped.

Mr Moore writes: “As such this now really is crunch time and if we have an opportunity to play our last trump card, it needs to be played now otherwise I fear the scheme could be abandoned.”

He appeals to the Stagecoach bosses for a letter highlighting the forthcoming regulations relating to fixed wing mirrors on buses, asking the company to confirm it would not be able to continue running buses through the towers.

Council spokesman Rob Davies said this week: “We have received the complaint from the Ombudsman and have begun looking into it. Our reply will be sent to the Ombudsman in due course.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while this complaint is being investigated.”