Westgate Towers has been closed to traffic since last March

by Alex Claridge

A bus firm is to divert its Canterbury drivers amid fears they could damage a 14th century monument or even risk breaking the law.

Stagecoach will reroute its buses going into the city away from the Westgate Towers area when the traffic scheme is scrapped after Easter.

It comes after drivers were told if they pull in their off-side mirrors in order to squeeze through the gap in the towers they could be charged with driving without due care and attention.

Drivers had also risked clipping the monument's 14th century brickwork because the space was so tight.

Now Stagecoach will reroute its services into Canterbury along London Road and Rheims Way, but those going out of the city will continue to swing round

the towers.

It comes after the city council introduced the new road layout for St Dunstan’s Street as a one-year trial last March in an effort to cut traffic and pollution in the historic quarter of Canterbury.

Traffic in Canterbury on the first day of the closure

It banned all vehicles from passing through the towers and forced traffic to go round them.

Critics blame the system for adding to the problems of Canterbury’s already constipated road network and highways chiefs at county hall decided to terminate the trial after a year instead of making it permanent.

But Stagecoach in East Kent, which is based at Canterbury bus station, was among its backers.

Speaking on Monday as he announced the rerouted services, commercial director Jeremy Cooper said: “We supported the trial scheme not only because of the potential improved environment for pedestrians but also because we believed it would provide a long-term solution for the problems

of getting buses past the Westgate Towers.

“However, we also recognised that there were issues with displaced traffic

and are pleased that the trial will be allowed to run its full course.

"We will continue to work with KCC and CCC to help find the best long term

solution for everyone.”

Buses introduced since 2000 are wider than their predecessors and often clipped their wing mirrors on the towers.