Home   Herne Bay   News   Article

Roadworks and closures between Canterbury and Herne Bay spark frustration

Frustrated motorists have described a series of roadworks and closures on the main routes between Canterbury and Herne Bay as an "absolute joke".

Since the start of the school holidays, drivers heading either way have been left with little choice but to travel through Herne as the two other regular routes - Bullockstone Road and Hackington Road - are shut for the whole summer.

Roadworks in Herne have caused lengthy traffic jams, with motorists little choice but to drive through the village
Roadworks in Herne have caused lengthy traffic jams, with motorists little choice but to drive through the village

But now three-way traffic lights have sprung up in the village to allow planned telecoms work to take place, sparking lengthy and unavoidable traffic jams throughout the day.

Some motorists have reported it taking as long as 45 minutes to navigate a stretch of little more than half-a-mile.

Sarah Baxter waited almost half-an-hour in the queues before giving up and turning around.

“'Frustrated' is a very polite way to put it!" she wrote on Facebook this week.

"Sat for 25 minutes in practically standstill traffic outside Strode Park at 11am today and barely moved!!

"Didn’t even get to Herne village in that time. I genuinely thought there had been an accident!! Turned around in the end and gave up!!

"Absolute joke!!"

Hackington Road is set to be closed until September 5
Hackington Road is set to be closed until September 5

Lee Barry added: "Just seems every road in and out of Canterbury has repairs going on, and always in the holidays. Go figure."

Kent County Council came in for criticism earlier this month for allowing both Hackington Road and Bullockstone Road to be closed at the same time.

The former - which is used by Herne Bay-bound drivers heading through Thornden Woods - was closed for six weeks from July 25 for gas mains replacement works to take place.

Meanwhile, at the start of August KCC began 52 weeks of work on a multi-million-pound series of improvements to Bullockstone Road, which will be shut off until the project is complete.

The closures have forced most traffic onto the road through Herme, where broadband provider Trooli has been carrying out works all week.

A KCC spokesperson said: “As well as carrying out maintenance on our roads we are responsible for co-ordinating all works on the highway including that of utility companies with a view to minimising disruption from any conflicting works.

“We must balance the need to allow access with being able to keep Kent moving, which is why we often ask for roadworks to be carried out during school holidays when the risk of disruption is lower. Utility companies provide essential water, energy and communications to residents and businesses and they have a duty to maintain these services.

Bullockstone Road is shut until next summer
Bullockstone Road is shut until next summer

“While it is not always possible to co-ordinate this, particularly where works are urgent, we insist that anyone working on our network communicates this clearly to those affected.

“The road closure along Bullockstone Road is to facilitate works for the Bullockstone Road Improvement Scheme. They are due to be completed in July 2023 but every effort will be made to complete them sooner.”

Officials from SGN previously stressed their project in Hackington Road was “agreed in advance following close consultation with the local authority”.

They say the firm planned the “essential upgrades” to take place during the summer holidays in a bid to minimise disruption.

“We do understand people can get frustrated by roadworks,” a SGN spokesman added.

“However, these upgrades will ensure residents and businesses across Kent will be able to enjoy a safe and reliable supply of gas for many years to come.”

It is hoped the work in Herne could be complete by Friday evening.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More