A six-week closure begins this week as part of the next phase of works
The project at Westgate Towers is hoped to be completed this spring.(Image: KentLive)
Canterbury City Council (CCC) has given an update on the current timeline for the ongoing disruptive roadworks taking place at the Westgate Towers as part of a large upgrade project. Having commenced in April of last year, the works come as part of the ongoing Connected Canterbury: Unlocking the Tales of England scheme and involve a complete overhaul to the roads and pedestrian walkways around the towers
Thanks to the reversal of Kent County Council’s decision to reinstate two-way traffic through the Westgate Towers for a seven-week period over Christmas, work on the current phase has been able to progress steadily through the winter. Crews have completed more of the carriageway and the footway upgrades along the side of the Ocakbasi of Kent kebab shop and the masonic museum as a result.
The next stage of the works will commence from Monday, January 12 and involve footway and carriageway reconstruction at the bottom of St Peter’s Street, as well as BT working on its network and CCTV alterations in this location. For this to be completed, the junction at St Peter’s Street will close for approximately six weeks and diversions will be in place for deliveries to city centre businesses.
The final phase of the works, which will involve resurfacing St Peter’s Place between the edge of the new Westgate Square and just past the junction of Tower Way, will be completed when weather conditions improve in the spring. This work will be conducted at night under a road closure, with local access being maintained.
While an exact date for the end of the works has not been given at this stage, with the project largely dependent on weather as we endure the worst of the winter conditions, CCC hopes to have the Westgate Towers improvements completed in early spring, possibly in March. Residents are advised that, while works are being completed, the diversion route 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. A pedestrian route around the works will be in place at all times.
The project at Westgate Towers joins several other large-scale improvements works being carried out around Canterbury currently, including a complete revamp of Dane John Gardens and repairs at Canterbury Castle, which are hoped to be completed this spring also. KentLive will be sharing details on the progress of these works in the near future so be sure to check back for updates.
In January 2023, the council was awarded £19.9 million worth of Government funding thanks to its successful Levelling Up Fund bid, £1.5 million of which was earmarked for the Westgate Towers works. The project is being delivered in three distinct phases which have involved road and pavement closures around the iconic landmark, having a considerable impact on travel in and out of the city.
Canterbury City Council’s Cabinet Member for Council Services, Culture and Heritage, Cllr Charlotte Cornell, said: “This is going to be a spectacular year when all of the Levelling Up Fund projects will come together and provide a real boost to the city. We’re working on a launch event which will showcase the fantastic work that has been undertaken by a range of leading experts that will benefit everyone that lives in, works in, studies in and visits Canterbury.
“Working in a city steeped in heritage and history, there were always going to be unforeseen challenges to overcome and the need to be extra careful when dealing with Scheduled Ancient Monuments and the like. But I am really proud we’ve managed to breathe new life into areas that have been neglected for too long and have put money aside to look after them into the future.”
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