A decision to install traffic lights on a major route for almost three months has been blasted by residents due to the sheer volume of ongoing roadworks.
Gas company SGN has installed the two-way signals along Ashford Road (A28) in Thanington, near Canterbury.
But some believe the extent of the number of road closures, diversions and traffic lights means the city might be better off being “shut down”.
Getting underway on Monday, the SGN works will remain in place until September 21 at the junction with Tonford Lane and less than a mile from Wincheap.
SGN says the works, which are being carried out to replace a section of its old gas main, will see engineers replace about 200m of its network.
However, it comes at the same time heavy delays continue at Westgate Towers, where roads surrounding the Grade I-listed landmark are being shut off over the next 10 months as part of a £1.5 million project to transform the area.
Meanwhile, the only road through Fordwich – a route used by thousands of motorists a day – closed on April 7 for repairs and will continue to remain out of bounds until the end of July.
Neighbours say the decision to carry out the projects at the same time as each other has left them baffled.
Simon Hadlow said: “Just shut Canterbury down, it’s already at a standstill most of the time [and] they obviously don’t really care about air pollution coming from all this traffic sitting at road works.
“Why do everything at the same time makes no sense to me?”
Resident Donna Taylor added: “Absolute joke. All the new houses that have been built in turn mean hundreds more cars.
“Yet none of the promised infrastructure to ease the congestion has actually been implemented.
“Even if utilities are doing the work, it should be managed better by Kent County Council (KCC). It’s not rocket science.
“It’s obviously been scheduled, so whoever is in charge of highways should check all the other works that are being carried out in Canterbury and wait until other work is finished so at least there are alternative routes.”
SGN says the latest phase of works on the A28 will see the lights managed at rush-hour periods.
SGN spokesperson Dan Brown said: “Our engineers will be replacing approximately 200m of our network and 30 services between property number 116 and its junction with Tonford Lane.
“We recognise this is a traffic-sensitive route and we’ll be manually operating these lights at peak times to help minimise disruption.
“We also need to close Tonford Lane at its junction with A28 Ashford Road. Motorists will be unable to enter or exit A28 Ashford Road here and affected road users will need to follow the signed diversion route.
“We understand roadworks can be frustrating for road users, residents and businesses.
“However, this essential work will ensure local properties continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come.”
Cllr Dane Buckman has echoed the thoughts of residents in the area and questioned why KCC did not give the green light for the project to be completed during the school holidays.
The Labour representative for Wincheap ward at Canterbury City Council explained: “The gas maintenance works are essential but it will cause more disruption.
“This section of the A28 heading into town is usually busy and at peak times the queue stretches the whole length of the road, which contributes to very poor air quality for residents.
“Combined with the works at Westgate Towers and Fordwich, Canterbury will be at a standstill. Rheims Way is [also] really bad at the moment, affecting London Road and Rough Common.
“It will be one big car park pumping more CO2 into the lungs of residents, delaying buses and essential journeys to work and school.
“Surely the repairs could have waited until the school holidays to relieve the pressure of the school run. Dates of the school holidays are known well in advance.
“Kent County Council has a lot to answer for – absolutely no joined-up thinking.
“It is so frustrating when no one is working during the day and all we see are traffic cones and delays. Maybe if the fines for overrunning works were increased, there would be greater pressure to complete them earlier or even on time.”
KCC has been approached for comment in response to the concerns.
