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Faversham Road and A252 roadworks cause chaos for villagers in Challock

Angry residents have hit out after their village was left "marooned" by two road closures.

Drivers are facing long delays after two routes in Challock, near Ashford, were closed at the same time.

The A252 Canterbury Road is closed in Challock
The A252 Canterbury Road is closed in Challock

The A252, which runs through the village, has been shut for two weeks as long-awaited improvement works take place.

Residents say the closure of the busy road - which is set to last for a further fortnight - would have been chaotic enough.

However, the effect has been doubled as a potential detour route, Faversham Road, has also been shut off for roadworks.

Pauline Hickson, who lives on the A252, says the closures have almost shut off the village.

She said: "The sheer amount of works that have sprung up is a farce, we are effectively marooned here.

Pauline Hickson says that the closures are 'a farce'
Pauline Hickson says that the closures are 'a farce'

"They are blocking off more roads every day and it is almost impossible to get in or out of the village.

"It is very dangerous, especially at school run times and how on earth are emergency vehicles supposed to get through?

"The planning of this work is terrible."

The only diversion route left for motorists to access the A251 is via Blind Lane - a single track road that runs near a school, and past the village hall and school bus stop.

This has led to major problems for those who live in the lane, with some reporting lorries mounting the grass verge and crashing into bushes.

The chaotic scenes in Blind Lane yesterday morning. Photo: Karen Freeman
The chaotic scenes in Blind Lane yesterday morning. Photo: Karen Freeman

Chapmans Close resident Rich Pemberton says the situation is so bad that he is trying to avoid leaving his house.

He explained: "The most obvious diversions to Charing - via Faversham Road or Sandyhurst Lane, both of which could cope temporarily - haven't been used and the former is unbelievably closed.

"There is no easy access to Chapmans Close at the moment. Whichever way you come is gridlock.

"I had no choice yesterday but to drive along the pavement in Blind Lane.

"It was clear but it's not acceptable, nor is it built to take that weight.

Graphic showing the road closures in Challock
Graphic showing the road closures in Challock

"There's a primary school just round the corner and a school bus at the other end, so it's hardly pedestrian free."

Michelle Town has two young children who have to travel to Faversham each day for school.

She said: "My teenagers usually take the bus but as my daughter is high risk my dad's currently taking them in.

"This morning he couldn't get to me so had to park at the Halfway House which meant the kids having to cross the road with no provision for them or a safe crossing. It's so dangerous.

"The roundabout is I understand being improved to accommodate a suitable crossing but in the meantime the kids are literally having to run across before the lights change, or walk in-between cars which as you can imagine have irate drivers behind the wheel.

Faversham Road is also closed
Faversham Road is also closed

It is understood that workers have turned Blind Lane into access for residents only - a solution that aids those who live in the lane, but means that anyone hoping to get to Faversham will find it even more difficult.

However, it would appear that this solution has yet to be properly enforced, as residents reported the situation being just as bad this morning.

Photos from just before 8am this morning show Blind Lane yet again completely blocked off, this time by a Highways Maintenance vehicle.

Karen Freeman said that her property has been damaged by this morning's chaos.

She said: "The lorry has taken a chunk out of the newly reinstated verge outside our house and exposed the reinforcement to the water meter.

The situation in Blind Lane this morning. Photo: Lou Lewis (42151534)
The situation in Blind Lane this morning. Photo: Lou Lewis (42151534)

"There's no leak yet thankfully but the situation is unbelievable."

The Faversham Road closure is expected finish today, with the A252 due to be shut for another two weeks.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

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