1 week Ago By [email protected] (Davina Jethwa)
Motorists continue to face “chaos” along a busy town route as five-month-long roadworks run behind schedule. Gas works in Sandling Lane, which form part of a larger 28-week project by SGN in Penenden Heath, Maidstone are overrunning. In February, KentOnline reported part of the road would be shut until May , preventing drivers from using it to access the Running Horse Roundabout.
It forms part of the first phase of works for the area while SGN upgrades old metal mains with new plastic pipes. As engineers progress, there will be rolling closures throughout the area until the beginning of September. But, many residents living in the area had said there had been no notice of the works taking place beforehand.
Last Monday (March 31), the next stage of the project was set to begin with a closure on Boxley Road at its junctions with Sandling Lane and Neville Close. They had been expected to finish on April 20, but according to traffic website one.network, this has been pushed back by five days.
A spokesperson for SGN confirmed the works have not yet begun but expect to make a start this week. Ward councillor representing the area, David Naghi (Lib Dem) has called the lack of transparency regarding the delays “unacceptable”. He said: “All residents want to know is when's this work supposed to be finished.
“I think it's a bit unacceptable - where the road closure signs are when you drive around, at least they could say when they're expected to be finished. “They have it in other places saying ‘Work is likely to be on for five or six weeks’ - it's not rocket science, is it?” He added: “I'm very frustrated that they can't work out how long they're going to take in the first place because that's very unprofessional. “Surely by now we should have a completion date by - they've been there long enough, so they should know what the extent of the work is.
” UK Power Networks had also been due to carry out works in Sandling Lane but a spokesperson for the utility company said it has been “postponed”. A couple of weeks ago, four-way traffic lights were also installed by Penenden Heath shops due to emergency repairs. Cllr Naghi added: “That caused even more chaos because no one really knew it was there until they got stuck in the traffic.
” Speaking to KentOnline previously, spokesperson for SGN Dan Brown said: “We appreciate roadworks can be frustrating for road users, residents and businesses. “However, this work is essential to keeping everyone in Maidstone safe and warm.” “The pipes here are reaching the end of their useful lives and it’s essential we replace them to ensure Maidstone homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.
” The 28-week-long scheme had originally been set to finish at the end of summer. Phase three would see engineers move onto Boxley Road’s junction with Penenden Heath Road and Rock Road from April 22 to July 20. The final, and fourth stage is scheduled to take place on Penenden Heath Road between its junctions with Boxley Road and Sittingbourne Road from July 21 to September 1.
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