The road layout used during the controversial Westgate Towers traffic trial could return, it's been revealed.

The much-criticised scheme, which was ditched in April, has been included among four options set to be put out to public consultation.

It will be considered alongside two similar options – with the fourth to keep the system as it is.

The choices were drawn up at secret meetings held by a group formed to discuss the future of the St Dunstan’s area.

The panel, called the St Dunstan’s Regeneration Steering Group, includes county councillors, Canterbury businessman Paul Barrett, city council leader John Gilbey and bosses from bus firm Stagecoach.

They had wanted to keep details of their meetings private, but minutes leaked to the Kentish Gazette this week reveal details of the four options being put out to consultation.

The first option being considered is to keep the existing layout, which was restored when the trial ended.

But the group says it fails to protect the Towers, does not improve the street scene and does little to help businesses.

The second is to revert to the trial layout, with the Towers closed to all traffic, and only buses and taxis travelling from St Dunstan’s Street and North Lane allowed to drive round them.

But the minutes reveal half the group have “major concerns” about traffic if the scheme was to return.

The third scheme would see all traffic banned from going through the Towers, but lights in place to allow vehicles to drive around them.

However, all vehicles driving down St Dunstan’s Street towards the Towers will be forced to turn left into Station Road West.

It would mean the stretch of St Dunstan’s Street between North Lane and Station Road West becoming one-way northbound, allowing the widened pavements to remain.

The final option would see only buses and taxis permitted to drive around the Towers from St Peter’s Place. But other vehicles would be allowed to use North Lane and St Dunstan’s Street, which they were banned from doing so during the trial.

The group’s vice chairman, city councillor Peter Vickery-Jones, was a vocal supporter of the traffic trial, but declined to comment on the options, saying only: “This is a Kent County Council show now. The city council is taking a back seat.”

The release of the documents has sparked fears of a return to the trial layout or a similar scheme.

Brian Buggins, of the campaign group Get Canterbury Moving, said: “You only have to look at the make-up of this steering group to see they are the same people who were pro the trial.

“Clearly it’s being influenced by Stagecoach.”

Outspoken critic of the trial layout Lynette Coleman added: “It’s outrageous that the city and county council is persisting in trying to bring it back when 4,000 people voted against it.

“We had to fight to get the minutes of these secret meetings made public, which is scandalous.”

The steering group has discounted putting five other options out to consultation, which include moving or altering the Westgate Towers, introducing hopper buses and building a new road through a graveyard behind the Guildhall.

A 12-week consultation is set to begin on September 16, with two public exhibitions planned at the Beaney library in October and November.

Steering group chairman Cllr David Brazier – the cabinet member for transport and environment –said: "The steering group collectively felt that the selected options were the most practical, viable and best-met the needs and wants of the Canterbury community.

“The options also attempt to address local concern about congestion along Station Road West and London Road by keeping North Lane open.

“The consultation will begin on September 16, when the community can have their say on their preferred option.”