MP's relief at road closure delay
A road
closure which would have “split” Aylesford has been
postponed.
Work was due to start today Friday, February 22 to improve the
level crossing in Station Road in the heart of the village.
But Kent Highways confirmed repairs have been postponed
indefinitely with the summer school holidays earmarked as a
favourable reschedule date.
The work, when it eventually starts, is expected to last 18 days
and will lead to the closure of Station Road to drivers.
Traffic will face a be divert of approximately seven milesed via
the M20 or Maidstone town centre, which wouldcould could mean a
nightmare journey for parents and children at nearby schools during
term time.
Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, said she was pleased
work had been put on hold.
She said: “I was disappointed with how little advanced warning
there was of the original closure given it will effectively split
Aylesford in two.
“Parents bringing their children to school in Aylesford village or
those in the village going to the supermarket would suddenly have
discovered a massive diversion in place.” Miss Crouch said she had
contacted Kent County Council and Network Rail asking for a summer
reschedule date.
“I will also be asking that the road closure is widely publicised
well in advance,” she said.
Greg Surtees, CORRKent Highways network response officer, said
Network Rail was being encouraged to grant her request.
He said as and when work starts, the original traffic diversions
will still apply, aand addinged: “A crossing attendant will be
employed to escort pedestrians through the works and over the
crossing.
“The attendant will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.
“The works are to upgrade the crossing, this involves levelling out
the area which forms part of the carriageway.”
Network Rail has yet to agree a date for work to start.
21/02/13
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