Work has now started on a huge roadworks project to accommodate a new Aldi supermarket.
The store is planned for empty land off the A28 Canterbury Road in Kennington, Ashford and once complete will be the third branch of the chain in the town.
One Aldi is already open in Victoria Road, and another is under construction on Waterbrook Park in Sevington.
Staggered roadworks will take place over an eight month period, which will at times prohibit right turns from Cemetery Lane and Kinney’s Lane onto the A28 Canterbury Road, and vice versa.
The project will also see part of the A28 Canterbury Road close – from the Simone Weil Avenue junction to Bybrook Road – in order to carry out the highway improvement works.
As such, diversions will be put in place. This will be via the A28 Canterbury Road, Simone Weil Avenue, Drovers roundabout, Simone Weil Avenue and A28 Canterbury Road.
Work started yesterday (Monday) and is expected to last until April next year. The first phase, due to last two weeks, has seen the suspension of the road’s cycle and bus lanes, leaving only one lane heading towards the town centre open.
Contractors have placed fencing and cones along the busy route, which connects Kennington to the rest of Ashford.
Some pedestrian crossings have also been fenced off meaning residents will need to walk further along the road near The Harvester to cross the road safely.
Cllr Diccon Spain – who already predicted the scheme will bring “monumental chaos” to north Ashford – remains fearful of the project’s impact.
The Labour representative for Bockhanger ward told KentOnline: “Those no right turns for extended periods of time – including for several months – will pose major problems.
“Diverting traffic via Little Burton and Drovers is adding a heck of traffic, which will actually choke up the A28 so it won’t be free-flowing.
“So I just foresee problems knowing traffic as we do here with the likes of Simone Weil Avenue being backed up.”
Businesses in Cemetery Lane – home to New Hayesbank doctor’s surgery of more than 17,000 people – previously raised concerns over how it will affect footfall.
Deputy manager at Longacres Garden Centre, Sophia Hubball, said: “We are naturally concerned that the difficulties drivers may experience because of the roadworks might disrupt trade in the short term.
“But we appreciate the need for improved traffic systems if we are to boost retail trade locally over time.
“Hopefully the works will be completed quickly and efficiently to ensure minimum disruption for us all.”
Among the improvements planned for the A28 are new traffic signals installed by the store and in Cemetery Lane.
A pelican crossing will also be created at the junction with Bybrook Road.
