11 March 2025: Message from Richard Moore, Head of Transport and Environment, Canterbury City Council
Exciting work to transform the area around Westgate Towers to reflect the city’s standing as an international visitor destination and World Heritage Site is about to get underway.
The project, paid for as part of the council’s successful bid for £19.9m of government money, will inevitably lead to some disruption in the area so we wanted to give you advanced warning so you can ask any questions or raise concerns.
What work is being carried out?
The road and pavements around the Westgate Towers need to be improved so they are in keeping with the area’s heritage and history by using the right materials. The design phase is finished and we have appointed a contractor, T Loughman & Co Ltd, to carry out the work.
How will the work be carried out?
This is a complex scheme which is being carried out in a very busy area. To minimise disruption and to protect those carrying out the work, it will be completed in phases.
Phase 1 – work to be carried out to the roads and pavements between St Dunstan’s Street and Tower Way, on the northwest side of the road (the Guildhall side).
This side of the road will be closed to traffic from St Peter’s roundabout, but access will be maintained to Tower Way, St Peter’s Grove and Black Griffin Lane.
Traffic coming from the other direction will be permitted to travel through the Westgate Towers and along St Peter’s Place to the St Peter’s roundabout. A pedestrian route past the work will be maintained at all times.
Phase 2 – work to be carried out to the road and pavement between St Dunstan’s Street and Tower Way, on the southeastern side of the road, outside the former Barretts showroom.
This side of the road will be closed to through traffic from St Dunstan’s Street up to Tower Way.
Traffic will be permitted to travel from the St Peter’s roundabout, along St Peter’s Place and around the side of the Westgate Towers. A pedestrian route past the work will be maintained at all times.
As part of this phase, it will be necessary to close the exit of St Peter’s Street while the work across this junction is completed.
Access up to the point of the closure will be available for deliveries to shops etc. A diversion route via The Friars will be signed for vehicles leaving St Peter’s Street.
Phase 3 – road resurfacing will be carried out in St Peter’s Place between the existing pedestrian crossing, extending just past the junction of Tower Way.
This work will be conducted at night under a road closure, with local access being maintained.
The diversion route for the three main phases (1, 2 and 3) will be via St Dunstan’s Street, London Road and Rheims Way. Signs will be in place, depending on the direction of traffic being diverted.
How long will the work take?
We anticipate the whole project will take 12 months to complete. As the work progresses, we will try to find ways to speed up the programme.
When does the work start?
Phase 1 is provisionally due to start on 22 April and will take approximately five months.
How can I find out more information?
You can find out more about the Connected Canterbury project on our website by visiting canterbury.gov.uk/luf.
If you want to get in contact about any part of the project, please email us at [email protected]
