THE closure of a crucial and well-used junction has caused chaos in a major town – leading to bin collections being delayed and buses being rerouted.
What’s more, local businesses have started to see the effects and even pupils at local schools have been turning up to class late as a result.
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Emergency gas works taking place on Loose Road, Maidstone, Kent, have resulted in the road closure for the last week – with little information on when it will reopen.
The closure, which takes place between Maidstone Fire Station and the Swan Inn pub, began at 8am on Friday, April 18, to allow utility firm SGN to dig up the road.
It has also seen Cripple Street and Boughton Lane shut at the junction with Loose Road.
Furthermore, drivers in the area are constantly warned to expect long delays in the surrounding areas.
According to KentOnline, cars and HGVs that pulled up to the barriers were forced to turn around.
An 8.83-mile diversion has since been put in place via Loose Road, Linton Road, Heath Road, Plough Wents Road and Sutton Road to rejoin Loose Road.
FEEL THE SQUEEZE
The road closure isn’t just an issue for drivers, as local businesses, schools, bin collections and public transport have all been greatly affected.
Bus company Arriva has warned customers that the bus number 89 is being diverted and is unable to serve the Loose area.
On X, they added: “Apologies for this disruption, which is totally beyond our control.”
In terms of schools, the New Line Learning Academy, Cornwallis Academy and Tiger Primary School have advised parents and carers to plan alternative routes and allow extra travel time.
They also say that students will not receive consequences for lateness if their journey is affected by the closure.
It’s also seen residents in the area go without a bin collection, with recycling and food waste collection supposed to be taken on April 22 – but the service was delayed.
One homeowner in Broadoak Avenue said: “I didn’t bother to put mine out.
“There’s no way a bin lorry could get through the country lanes.
“Cars are also parking irresponsibly in The Farrows and both a bin lorry and Sainsbury’s delivery van couldn’t get through.”
As reported by KentOnline, a Maidstone council spokesman said that a “few hundred properties” in the Loose Valley, Loose Road and Cripple Street areas had been affected.
They added: “The delays have been caused by multiple road closures, excessive traffic, and the diversion route is unsuitable for larger vehicles.
“We apologise for the delays. We are aware that the closure will be moved on Friday, which will allow improved access into the area.
“In the meantime, please keep your bins secure and ensure they are presented for emptying on Friday.”
‘A BIT STRESSED’
Steve Ervin, landlord of The Swan Inn pub that’s located next to the road closure, said: “We have been impacted.
“We haven’t had any passing trade at all, just locals who can walk here.
“Our profits have dropped, and we are well down on what it would normally be, especially after the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
“Usually around 30 to 40% of business comes from passing trade. Plus there is a massive detour.
“We’ve also had cars, vans and articulated lorries using our car park to turn around in.
“They ignore a dozen ‘road closed’ signs, then get to barriers and realise it is true.”
Chantelle Wicks, a technician who runs Halo Nails at her home in Mayfair Avenue, revealed she has had to tell clients to allow extra time to get to their appointments.
She said: “I was a bit stressed at the weekend when I realised it was going to go ahead.
“There isn’t much else I can do than to message and warn my customers.
“I have also been booking people in time slots that are further apart, just in case.
“One of my clients lives along Loose Road and was about half an hour late – she was quite stressed when she got here.
“She was diverted through country lanes and had to do lots of reversing.”
The emergency works are expected to finish by Monday, April 28, although according to one.network, Loose Road could stay shut until Tuesday, May 6.
A spokesman for SGN said: “Our engineers have identified our network in A229 Loose Road, Maidstone, requires immediate emergency repairs.
“To carry out our repairs, we have to dig holes at multiple locations.
“To keep everyone safe, on Friday, April 18 we installed a temporary road closure around our work areas, which is from outside Maidstone Fire Station to outside the Swan Inn at the junction of Boughton Lane.
“Cripple Street and Boughton Lane will also be closed at their junctions with Loose Road.
“Access will be maintained for the fire station, residents, and businesses within the closure.
Hundreds of homes have been affected in the area
“Bus routes will be impacted – passengers should check with their local operators for updates on changes to routes and bus stops.
“Our team worked 24/7 over the Bank Holiday weekend but it’s still too soon to say how long this will take to repair – we’re working to get this completed as soon as possible.”
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