There’s more misery for motorists and business owners after it was revealed a road already closed for several weeks for gas repairs is to remain shut for longer than first hoped.
Bow Road in Wateringbury was closed on June 23 so that SGN could replace old metal gas pipes.
The work was meant to finish by August 31, but the closure will now stretch into September, with the possibility of temporary traffic lights even after that.
The delay has been caused by the discovery of extra underground utilities and a longer section of pipe than expected.
Kent County Council has pushed for SGN to work weekends and extend weekday hours to speed up the process.
The impact on local businesses has been severe.
A café, pub, grocery shop, and car dealership have all reported major drops in footfall.
Residents have faced 10-mile detours, and families are worried about school access, especially for pupils using the number 6 bus.
Matt Boughton, leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, said: “Extending the Bow Road closure in Wateringbury is a hammer blow for the village, which has been cut in two for most of the summer.
“While I recognise the added complexity of the works, going beyond the start of the school year will cause chaos for parents and students.
“Additional hours over the next couple of weeks will help, but Kent County Council and SGN need to look at more ways to bring the misery Wateringbury has faced to an end sooner than they plan.”
SGN has said the full closure was agreed as the safest option and insists it is working to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible.
