Residents are calling for a bus stop to be moved amid concerns its new location is "extremely dangerous" and in "completely the wrong place".

The pull-in previously used by buses outside Guildhall Square, Sandwich, was tarmacked over, moved onto the carriageway and extended a few metres up the road as part of £1 million regeneration plans.

It was designed to ease congestion on the busy stretch - but motorists say it has only made the situation worse as they are now regularly stuck in gridlock.

The bus stop now sits just metres from the junction with Cattle Market making it hard for drivers pulling out into New Street to see past when a bus is parked up.

A footpath has also been widened on either side, narrowing the road and exacerbating the problem.

Joan Whitehead, who lives in Moat Sole, says the situation has become so bad, she often dreads leaving her house.

"It's so dangerous, it's quite frightening," said the 89-year-old.

"You can’t see what’s coming if a bus is parked.

"There's already been an accident as it's basically blind coming out of Cattle Market now.

"Driving in you are literally turning about a metre in front of a bus.

"They say it's to stop congestion but it has made it worse.

"People were quite happy with the way it was before - there was no problem before.

"There was never a consultation and we are all up in arms because it really is dangerous."

Resident Christina Glynn says she has spoken to countless people upset by the changes and desperately hopes a solution can be found.

"There can be one, two, sometimes even three buses pulling in at the same time," she said.

"We had a bus stand that functioned pretty well. I really don’t know why they changed it.

"Not only have they put the bus stand on the corner, they have also made the road narrower to widen the footpath.

"If there are lorries unloading on the other side of the road, which they are allowed to do, and a bus comes and stops on the new bus stand, no traffic can get through.

"The traffic grinds to a halt so people get angry, their horns honk and there is swearing.

"There is reduced visibility on the corner.

"You have to cut so close in front of the bus but you have no choice - it's an impossible situation.

"I personally think it's very dangerous.

"A lot of people have complained because it’s incompletely the wrong place and there now no consultation."

Resident Lindsay Jackson added: "There used to be a pull-in for buses and there was a place for people to stand just in front of the square.

"Now they have stopped that and made them park at the end of the Guildhall at a junction.

"Everyone thought it was temporary but that's where it is permanently.

"Children cross there all of the time."

Concerns were echoed by Carl Davis who says the situation is made worse by drivers parking on double-yellow lines opposite the new bus stop to use the shops.

He said: "Why move the bus stop?

"Where did all the expensive nice flagstones end up?

"Why is it so much worse after spending loads of money to make it 'better'."

Simon Leith, a former mayor of the town, however, was a fan of the renovation works.

He said: "I'm pleased to see progress on the forecourt.

"It will look much nicer. People seem to complain once all the research has been done.

"The corner has always been blind.

"People stop for the chip shop and pizzeria, but I don't think it will be a problem when people are used to it. There is always the option of driving slower."

A spokesman for Dover District Council (DDC) said: "We are aware that concerns have been raised, and we have shared this with partner organisations.

"However, we can confirm that the design for the highways work was undertaken by the highway authority, Kent County Council, and that this has been the subject of a safety audit to ensure the design meets highways safety standards."

KCC Highways was unable to comment as the scheme was put forward by DDC.

The £1 million makeover will see a new bus shelter, seating and lighting added.

Phase one of the project, which began in September, saw changes made to the highway, including the bus stop, in preparation for the upgrades.

Phase two, which will see resurfacing works, improved lighting and seating installed and trees planted, started on Monday.

It is expected to take 16 weeks, with the whole project scheduled to finish by May.

The Thursday morning market is relocating for this phase of the works to the car park located behind the Guildhall. (Feb 9).

DDC leader, Cllr Trevor Bartlett, was this week joined by Cllrs Oliver Richardson, Sue Chandler and Dan Friend to mark the start of the Guildhall Square revamp, where they held a groundbreaking ceremony.

The project is part-funded by The R&A as part of The Open legacy, together with investment from Kent County Council, DDC, Sandwich Town Council, Prince’s Golf Club and Discovery Park.

Contributions include £400,000 from DDC, £350,000 from Sandwich Town Council via a public works loan, an R&A Open Legacy contribution of £75,000, £25,000 from Discovery Park plus a KCC Highways contribution.