Major works to renew a three-mile stretch of gas main along one of Kent's busiest roads will start at the end of this month.

Replacement of the 80-year-old metal pipe under the A2 at Newington, near Sittingbourne, will now begin on Monday, September 30 for 42 weeks.

The works, from the Key Street Roundabout to Upchurch, were initially meant to have started on September 16, but were postponed until next year after gas company SGN said it needed more time to plan for "complex traffic management".

However, news of the work being brought forward was broken to villagers on Friday by Mike Whiting, who sits on both the borough and county councils.

Cllr Whiting said: "Previously, the advice was that the work would be delayed until next year, however, having sought a number of important assurances, Kent County Council has agreed to let the work start at the end of the month."

He also shared a letter from KCC, outlining the reasoning for the works being done sooner.

It said: "The A2 gas works planned to commence on September 16 were delayed until next year to provide sufficient time for all parties to carefully plan local traffic management and address a number of concerns raised since the emergency works were carried out during the summer.

"SGN have since reviewed the risk to the current gas supply and are concerned there is a high likelihood that emergency works will occur along this stretch of gas main when the demand increases the pressure within the existing main on the A2, probably in the next few weeks.

"In carefully considering the request from SGN for the works to commence on September 30 and recognising that an emergency response is likely to be highly impactive, KCC has agreed a number of key measures which must be put in place to reduce the impact on the local communities."

It went on to say the measures included an HGV restriction on the A2, which would be in place for the 42-week duration of the works.

It added: "Local access for HGV deliveries will be managed by a local permit scheme and the details are currently being considered. An HGV diversion, using the M2, will be in place and we will seek support from Kent Police and Highways England to support compliance of the HGV restriction and observance of the official diversion route and will also consider any other measures which may be appropriate.

"We will place restrictions on local roads, which have been identified as wholly unsuitable for any displaced traffic during the works, and will sign roads which are not suitable for HGV access with appropriate signage should any HGVs access the local network in breach of the restriction.

"Previously, the advice was that the work would be delayed until next year, however, having sought a number of important assurances, Kent County Council has agreed to let the work start at the end of the month," Cllr Mike Whiting

"Width and weight restrictions will be placed as necessary on minor roads north of the A2, but these will need to allow access to properties and businesses on these roads.

"Road closures will be considered as a last resort but consultation with affected residents and businesses on this will take place if these are thought to be required."

It added that SGN would review the work weekly and ensure residents and business were kept up-to-date with the progress.

Cllr Whiting said he thought the lorry ban through Newington was key and that he would be seeking assurances from SGN, KCC and the police that it would be in place and enforced.

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