by Alex Claridge

The Westgate Towers in Canterbury have finally re-opened to vehicles today after a year-long traffic trial.

Opponents have been toasting the demise of the scheme, which they blamed for delays and increased pollution.

Debbie Barwick, owner of clothes shop Revivals in St Peter's Street, said: "The failed traffic scheme is over. Roads are clear and running smoothly and many thanks to KCC for stopping the hated trial."

The scheme - which banned vehicles from passing through the 14th century towers - was the brainchild of Canterbury City Council, who saw it as a way of reducing traffic in the area.

But it was highways chiefs at county hall who ordered that it would not continue past the one-year trial period.

The city council and bus firm Stagecoach had hoped to be able to extend the life scheme and even make it permanent.

Stagecoach said that if the lay-out of the roads reverted to the original, it would not legally be allowed to run their double-decker buses through the towers because drivers would have to pull in their wing mirrors and may then be guilty of driving without due care and attention.

But people in St Dunstan's Street this morning have been photographing buses passing through the archway, with reports of drivers pulling in their wing mirrors.

Stagecoach's operations manager Sam Dixon said: "The driver who operated through the Towers this morning, was not a local driver and had not operated in the Westgate area for some time.

"He was unaware of the issues surrounding the Towers as he is not a Canterbury based driver.

"All depots within the East Kent area have this morning, been issues with staff notices explaining the new routing arrangements.

"This morning's incident was a one off and will not be repeated."

For the full story and reaction see this Thursday's Kentish Gazette.