Chaos was caused as buses struggled to make it round the new tight bends and traffic light signals were sending drivers in the wrong direction. Vehicles were backed-up along St Peter’s Place and St Dunstans Street because of the new one-way route around the Towers; the train crossing further up St Dunstans Street also added to the mayhem as vehicles sat stationary while the crossing barriers were down.

Chaos on St Dunstans Street when crossing barriers are down

Police traffic officers and Kent County Council Highways and Transportation staff were on-hand to direct baffled drivers and speak to local residents who came to view the changes. Gary Peak, from KCC Highways, said at the site today: “Chaotic is the best description of yesterday morning. There were an awful lot of problems and a lot of traffic was coming into the area that didn’t need to be here. This morning has been a huge improvement, though, and the whole system has been working a lot better. Traffic is a lot lighter and it’s much more friendly for pedestrians to get around.”

Mr Peak said there have been mixed views among people who have been visiting the Towers today and yesterday; he said that some people really like it and others think it is a waste of money, but the main concern is about how the new pedestrian crossings will work now the formal ones have been taken away.

A hot food van with tables and chairs signifies a change

Local resident Anne Hougham said that she is worried about pedestrians in the area as they don’t know where to cross and when the safest time to do so is. “I am really not sure about the whole system,” she said. “There are still so many buses coming through and most have to mount the kerb on one corner because they’re too big. I think it’s too unsafe for a pedestrian area and there are too many vehicles trying to get round while people are walking about.”

“It’s still very early days and there are problems that need working out,” added Mr Peak. “We’re encouraging people to come and have a look and share their views as it is all part of the experiment. It’s such a radical change for the area that we need to make sure it is going to work.”

People can contact the City Council with their views on these changes (via the Westgate web page) or formal complaints can be made to Kent County Council. Also, take a look at ‘In Pictures: Changes at the Westgate Towers’.

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