1 week Ago By [email protected] (Cara Simmonds)
Bin collections have been delayed, buses rerouted, pupils made late for school and businesses impacted as emergency gas works continue to close a well-used junction. Loose Road in Maidstone has been shut for the last week, and it is not yet known when it will reopen. The closure between Maidstone Fire Station and the Swan Inn pub was implemented at 8am last Friday (April 18).
It is to allow utility firm SGN to dig up the road for gas repairs. Cripple Street and Boughton Lane are also shut at the junction with Loose Road and drivers are also being warned to expect long delays in the surrounding areas. A video captured on Friday shows cars and HGVs pulling up to the barriers and being forced to turn around.
There are also reports of motorists getting stuck due to backlogs along nearby narrow roads, such as Bockingford Lane, Hayle Mill Road and Cave Hill. An 8.83-mile diversion is in place via Loose Road, Linton Road, Heath Road, Plough Wents Road and Sutton Road to rejoin Loose Road.
As well as creating a headache for drivers, the closure is impacting businesses, schools, bin collections and public transport. Arriva warned customers on X, saying that bus number 89 is being diverted and is unable to serve the Loose area. It added: “Apologies for this disruption that is totally beyond our control.
” 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. Bosses say students will not receive a consequence for lateness if their journey is severely affected by the closure. Residents in the area have also gone without a bin collection.
Recycling and food waste were supposed to be taken yesterday (April 22) but the service has been delayed. “I didn’t bother to put mine out,” one homeowner in Broadoak Avenue said. “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.” A Maidstone council spokesman confirmed that a “few hundred properties” in the Loose Valley, Loose Road and Cripple Street areas have been affected. “The delays have been caused by multiple road closures, excessive traffic, and the diversion route is unsuitable for larger vehicles,” he added.
“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.
” KentOnline has asked Maidstone council which specific roads have been affected. Steve Ervin is the landlord of The Swan Inn pub, which is next to the road closure. “We have been impacted,” he said.
“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.
” Technician Chantelle Wicks has run Halo Nails at her home in Mayfair Avenue since 2022. The business owner has had to tell clients to allow extra time to get to their appointments. “I was a bit stressed out at the weekend when I realised it was going to go ahead,” she explained.
“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.
” It is understood that the emergency works are expected to finish by Monday (April 28). However, 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. “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.”.
