Canterbury's already congested streets are taking a battering this weekend as students return to the city for the start of the academic year.

The city accommodates more than 30,000 students during term time and this week sees the start of Freshers' Week.

Those who have already started their studies are also returning ahead of lectures starting this month.

There were significant delays on Saturday on major routes including the ring road, Whitstable Road and St Dunstan's Street, Military Road and Broad Street and along the Sturry Road.

Steve Coombs, who campaigned against the Westgate Towers traffic trial four years ago, believes more should have been done to warn drivers of the delays.

The 43-year-old, of Charollais Close, said: "It's not like we don't know that this is going to happen.

"It happens every time at this time of year. The councils and the universities need to get together to inform people that if they are thinking of driving into Canterbury at the start of term, then there will be delays.

"It was very slow on Saturday. I don't blame the students, though.

"Rather than bash them perhaps someone could come up with some ideas on how the effect of way too many people hitting the city in one go could be catered for."

Canterbury is home to three universities - The University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University for the Creative Arts.

Accountant Spencer Whiting, 43, of Market Way, added: "It's been very slow round here.

"It took me 30 minutes to get from the St Thomas's Hill to Market Way on Saturday afternoon.

"I had to stop off in St Dunstan's and it was particularly congested through there."

Traffic in the eastern end of the city is also being affected by the closure of the Sturry level crossing for maintenance work on Sunday.