A controversial one-way system branded “absolutely ridiculous” faces further delays with works stalled for more than two years.

The redesign of the A28 in Wincheap, one of Canterbury’s busiest routes, is still to be rolled out after being delayed twice since 2022.

The £3 million transformation is viewed by Kent County Council (KCC) as a way of “considerably easing congestion” and improving “quality of life in the area”.

But Brian Johnson, the long-term owner of Wincheap’s Bits ‘n’ Pieces, staunchly opposes the project.

“What an absolutely ridiculous idea it is,” he says.

“I've been here 33 years, and until about four years ago, on a normal day, it's like any other road in Canterbury.

“You go up to the retail park and count how many traffic lights there are up there.

“Traffic is nothing to do with Wincheap being two-way, it’s those lights that cause everything to back up.

“Somebody somewhere has got it in their head that it will alleviate traffic by sending it through the estate.

“There is absolutely no logic to it whatsoever and it will not work.

“The vast majority of the population in this area, and all the businesses on the estate are totally and utterly against it.

“It's an absolute recipe for a disaster.”

Housebuilder Redrow is paying for the project as part of its commitment to the Cockering Farm 400-home estate a mile away in Thanington.

Traffic coming into Canterbury - except for buses and cyclists - will be diverted through the Wincheap Industrial Estate along Simmonds Road, becoming a two-lane carriageway.

But more than five years after it was approved alongside the Cockering estate, bosses behind the plan cannot confirm a start date.

With recent amended plans still awaiting approval with KCC, residents have long criticised the scheme and called for it to be scrapped.

The new layout is hoped to improve traffic flow by removing snarled-up congestion along the 530-metre stretch between Cow Lane and the Maiden’s Head pub.

Lorries will be sent through the gyratory and exit at the Maiden’s Head.

The tight bend is already a bottleneck for park-and-ride vehicles exiting the industrial estate, with traffic heading in the opposite direction having to stop and allow the buses to exit.

It was first hoped to see the project commence in the summer of 2022 but, in April that year, it was announced the works would be postponed until the start of 2023.

No reason was given as to why.

And just days before breaking ground, Redrow once again were forced to alter the timeframe in January 2023 – this time citing delays in the construction of the homes at Cockering Farm.

The latest delay comes after a recommendation from the county and district council’s Joint Transportation Board to review the scheme, with revised papers reflecting on comments from residents and businesses as well as providing a similar amount of on-street parking as currently exists.

Barney Parsons, the Wincheap Society’s treasurer, echoed the thoughts of Mr Johnson and countless residents in the area while slamming the communication offered by KCC in the months since the work was last delayed.

He told KentOnline: “There's no end in sight for the concerns of Wincheap residents and businesses because nobody knows what's going to happen.

“Redrow say KCC have been sent amended plans which they're considering based on the feedback of residents. Based on the feedback of residents, that is total nonsense.

“Residents have given feedback to various people in KCC and have been blocked at all times.

“There’s been no consultation and nothing has been done, nothing's been submitted, and I would love KCC to come and consult with Wincheap residents and actually go through the evidence and tell us why this gyratory system is actually such a good thing.

“The whole thing should just go back to the drawing board, Redrow and KCC should think again about this plan, review the evidence justifying it because the actual road traffic analysis justifying the scheme needs re-review.

“The results that have come out of it have been nonsensical.”

It is not the only road project facing delay in the area, with the A2 off-slip also being held up by planning snags.

Business owners and residents have previously raised concerns it will kill passing trade and branded it an “utter waste of money”.

Others have questioned whether the industrial estate can cater for thousands of extra cars a day.

When the work does get underway, it has been confirmed Wincheap will not be sealed off, but parts of the road may be closed for a few nights at the end of the project for re-surfacing.

A spokesperson from Kent County Council (KCC) said: "The Wincheap scheme remains as a policy requirement of Canterbury City Council’s adopted Local Plan, and its implementation was secured as a planning obligation for Redrow Homes to deliver in due course as part of their development at Cockering Farm.

“Following the recommendation of the Joint Transportation Board in February 2023 to review the scheme, the developer has submitted amended plans for technical approval, which are currently being assessed by KCC.

“As the scheme will be delivered by Redrow Homes, and is linked to the number of houses they can occupy, the highway works will be constructed by the developer at their cost, and the start date will depend on how quickly they progress with housebuilding on their site."

Glenn Holliday of Redrow said: “We are working closely with Kent County Council to finalise plans for approval, which will also include the road space.

“Once plans are approved we will be able to share more details on the scope and timings of works with local residents.”