A developer has closed a “godsend” cut-through road after facing delays to complete improvements aimed at keeping pedestrians safe.

But Taylor Wimpey has gone on to build another 100 more homes despite planning conditions stating the work should have been carried out already.

The housebuilder says it has come up against factors “outside” of its control in being able to start widening and installing footpaths along Chaucer Road in Canterbury.

The route, a former military access road through the old Howe Barracks site, links the busy A257 and Canterbury Crown Court through the new-build estate called Royal Parade.

Taylor Wimpey was supposed to complete works on the route before construction of the 250th home on the development, according to conditions set out in a Section 106 agreement it signed with Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council.

However, with 367 now built, the improvements have still not been made.

A hold-up in discussions with the court authorities to ensure court business is not hampered during the works is being blamed on it not yet starting.

At the same time, building at Royal Parade has ground to a halt due to ongoing concerns surrounding the impact of water pollution from run-off into the Stodmarsh nature reserve and River Stour.

As Taylor Wimpey vehicles no longer have to access the estate for construction, the developer decided to close it on February 24, saying it could not ensure its safety and maintenance.

When asked if the breach of the planning conditions had forced the closure, a spokesperson for KCC - the highways authority - confirmed the authority “has not instructed Taylor Wimpey to close it”.

While some furious residents have gone so far as to start a petition calling for its reopening, others are pleased traffic will no longer be using the street.

Sarah Leith has lived in military housing at the former Howe Barracks for more than a decade.

She has a 14-year-old son - who is a wheelchair user - and a 13-year-old daughter, and says Chaucer Road had become unsafe while it was open.

The 48-year-old explained: “There's no pavements. There's no lighting.

“I've been knocked by a car and my daughter's just been missed by a car.

“In the mornings it’s chaotic and it takes us a good 20 minutes just to get out of our drive.

“As much as it's a pain, because we're the closest to the gate, and so we have to drive the furthest around town to get them to school, it’s safer closed.”

Once the delayed works are complete, the road will be widened to 6.75 metres up until it meets the current gates, where it will be six metres - compared to its current width of approximately five metres.

Permanent cycle paths and footpaths will be added, and appropriate lighting will be fitted.

This is a legal requirement under the Section 106 agreement signed in December 2015 and tied to the original outline planning permission for the redevelopment of Howe Barracks.

Mrs Leith says she would “much rather wait” for Taylor Wimpey to finish the improvements before it is opened again.

She says in winter, the lack of lighting and pavements combined with cars driving too fast means pedestrians are put at risk.

“My son has been crying because he's so scared,” she continued.

“Once I was where the court’s [boundary] wall sticks out a little bit and there's only the tiniest bit of pavement.

“I was going round the corner with the wheelchair and a car clipped my shoulder.”

Similarly, Yvonne McGuire - who has lived in the area for six years - added: “When it was opened, cars weren't waiting for the people passing, you were so close to them.”

However, she would like to see the route back open soon.

The 55-year-old explained: “We've been waiting for a long time. I've been here since it started.

“They should have done the work in the first place.”

But it is not just residents of the estate who experienced problems while Chaucer Road was open.

Linda Sinclair is HR and customer service director of ADM Computing - the company’s office is located next to the crown court building and about 100 yards down the hill from the now-locked gates.

The 71-year-old said: “It was only a matter of time before a collision.

“The problem was that they were coming down the hill at speed, and so it was very difficult for us.

“There's some bushes, so you can't see up the hill.

“For our staff to pull out of the car park they've got to edge out, and the traffic has got busier.

“Since the development's gone up, the amount and the speed of traffic has been dangerous.

“It’s been better for us since it’s been shut because it’s safer.”

It is understood the ongoing disagreement relates to a wall belonging as part of the Crown Court estate, which needs to be moved to accommodate the road widening.

In the 1980s, the road was owned by the MoD, but the public was allowed to use the route.

However, after the Deal bombing in 1989 in which 11 Royal Marines were killed and 21 injured, it is understood to have been shut off due to security and safety concerns for military personnel on the base.

The cut-through did not reopen again until Taylor Wimpey started working on the site in 2018.

For those campaigning to keep it open, it is a vital relief to the notorious traffic in the city centre.

Donna Taylor, who lives on the Spring Lane Estate off the A257, said: “When Chaucer Road opened up it was a godsend.

“It saved people from this side of Canterbury and the surrounding areas having to sit in traffic on the ring roads through the city unnecessarily.

“In rush hours, it’s infuriating to know that I could drive to the Sturry Road area in five minutes, but now I sit in the gridlock for usually 25 minutes at least.”

The developer says work has not started due to “reasons outside of Taylor Wimpey’s control”.

Asked why the company continued building new homes despite not completing the required works to Chaucer Road, a Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: “In advance of the closure of Chaucer Road, signage was put up advising that the road would be closed from February 24.

“The signs on the Chaucer Road gates are historic and Taylor Wimpey will arrange for them to be covered to avoid any confusion.

“Both Canterbury City Council and Kent Council are aware of the progress of the road improvement works required as part of the Section 106 agreement for the Royal Parade development.

“Taylor Wimpey remains in close and regular contact with them and is committed to completing these works as soon as is practically possible.

“The section of Chaucer Road that has been closed was never intended for vehicular use in its current condition.

“For the safety of road users and pedestrians, the decision was made to close the road until the improvement works have been completed.”

“Plans to deliver the improvement works are under discussion with all parties and it is hoped that the next phase, which will be carried out on Littlebourne Road, will begin shortly.

“This is subject to confirmation from the gas utility company who will be diverting the gas infrastructure as part of this work.

“We are aware of the frustrations raised by residents about the temporary closure of Chaucer Road.

“The safety of local residents is our priority and, until planned improvement works are completed, it will remain closed.”

However, Mrs Taylor added: “It’s perfectly safe for cars, they just need to create a safe pathway for pedestrians.

“Better still, fulfil your obligations and make the improvements.”

Canterbury city councillor for the Little Stour and Adisham ward Lee Castle says his constituents have benefited from Chaucer Road.

“They all use the A257,” he said. “It's been horrendous for quite a long time with increasing traffic.

“It's just upset residents, understandably, because it was creating a bit of relief on the main drag down via Longport.

“I quite like the idea of putting in temporary traffic lights instead, to make it one-way.”

A petition started calling for the developer to open the gates has amassed 344 signatures.

Taylor Wimpey confirmed no opening date is set for when the route may reopen, or when improvement works will begin, or when it could restart building due to the Stodmarsh issues.

Canterbury City Council spokesman Rob Davies added: “We are aware of the delay in the developer meeting this Section 106 obligation and are actively working with the developer and the court to ensure that this obligation is met at the earliest opportunity.

"The delay is due to the need to gain agreement from the court authorities on the logistical arrangements for delivering the road improvements, to ensure that the business of the court is not disrupted.

“We are making good progress in these discussions."