News | Bridges project


downsmail.co.uk Drivers face traffic ‘nightmare’


MOTORISTS using Maidstone are being urged to buckle up for a summer of discontent as amajor new road system tears up the tarmac in the centre of town.


The £5.7m Maidstone bridges project will push two new lanes through the notorious “congestion and air quality hotspot” in the county town -where the A20, A26, A229 and A249 converge. Traffic is likely to be disrupted


until at least the middle ofNovem- ber and possibly to March next year. For motorists, it is a case of toler-


ating traffic pain for the long-term gain, according to the county coun- cil, which has played down the likely disruption on the roads, even though its website warns “disrup- tion is expected, so know your op- tions and plan ahead”. It says the work to thread two


lanes through the busiest intersec- tion of the town – serving some 5,800 vehicles in the morning rush- hour alone – will cut congestion by 10-20%, travel times by 25% and help regenerate thewestern side of the river.


Contractors Jacksons Civil Engi- neering (JCE) says it understands the complexities of working in such a vibrant town and has done what it can tominimise disruption.


Roger Keech and Ilsa Butler


As part of its tender, JCE also pledged to limit the use of tempo- rary traffic management during peak periods and keep open at least four lanes for Fairmeadow southbound. Nevertheless, road closures are still permitted from 9.30am-4pm. The two extra northbound lanes,


on the eastern side of the river from BishopsWay towards Fairmeadow, along with new traffic-light con- trolled junctions, will ease north- bound traffic flows on the A229, allowing vehicles to use a more di- rect route without negotiating the bridges, according to KCC. While appreciating that the work


needs to be done, Maidstone taxi firm Express Cabs, Arriva and the


Property Maintenance J.L.B


Annual Gutter Cleaning Service


Gutters & Fascia Cleaned TO A HIGH STANDARD INSIDE AND OUT


Prices Start From As Little As


£20


Call Our Friendly Team FOR A FREE QUOTE


T.01622 201078


M.07854 529434 jlb.property@yahoo.co.uk


24 Maidstone South July 2016


All Repairs Undertaken.....


 Broken Brackets  Leaking Gutter Joints  Down Pipes


CALL US NOW To Ensure Your Gutters Are Flowing Blockage Free Quality Roofing at Affordable Prices


 New Tiled Roofs  General Roofing Repairs  Moss Removal  Felt Flat Roofing  UPVC Fascias, Soffits & Guttering


Chamber of Commerce are among those who fear that as the work progresses disruption in the town centre will be inevitable. Express Cabs operates 100 cars in


the town. Its accounts director Gary Jobling fears the delays for motorists could reach nightmare proportions. “When the schools go back and


thewet, coldweather starts in Sep- tember, the current headache in the town centre will become an ab- solute nightmare,” he said. He also believes the new road system will still not address the fundamental traffic problems in the town centre. He said: “What is really needed is another crossing over the river that takes traffic on to the Tonbridge Road without the need to come in to the centre of town at all.” One Maidstone and the Chamber


of Commerce in Maidstone say traders are optimistic, but appre- hensive. The chamber’s Roger Keech said:


“The project team did give a very thorough report and seemed to have considered pretty much


everything in terms of traffic man- agement. “While it is very early days, some remain apprehensive. I amhopeful that the disruption will be kept to a minimum, but we will have to wait and see.” Ilsa Butler, from the town centre partnership One Maidstone, said she had received no complaints, but appreciated the huge volume of traffic that uses this part of town and the work that lay ahead. Pedestrians will have to re-work


their route as the subways at Bish- ops Way and Fairmeadow will be bricked up permanently as part of the project, in a bid to prevent flooding of nearby businesses. A spokesman for KCC said: “At


this early stage, there seems to be minimal disruption but this will be monitored throughout progress. “Updates will be regularly put


on Twitter and the local commu- nity and businesses will be up- dated by our dedicated public liaison officer, Rebecca Edwards. The plans are available at www.kent.gov.uk and Rebecca can be reached on 07970 358089.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48