Imagine being forced to take a massive detour, adding miles to your daily commute! That's the reality for drivers in Ashford, as a significant portion of Chart Road is closed for gas maintenance. But here's the catch: this inconvenience could have been avoided!
The road closure, which began this week and will last until February 2, affects those traveling from Barrow Hill vets to the iconic 'tank' roundabout. Motorists are now required to take a lengthy diversion, adding approximately a mile to their journey. They must navigate towards Drovers Roundabout using the A292 and then take Templar Way to reach their original destination.
Why the sudden disruption? Well, it's all for the sake of public and worker safety during gas mains works carried out by SGN. A traffic regulation order from Kent County Council ensures pedestrian access, but the road closure was deemed necessary.
Interestingly, this closure coincides with a significant development in the A28 Chart Road dualling project. Housing developer Hodson attempted to withdraw its commitment to fund new infrastructure and community facilities, including a £30 million contribution to upgrade Chart Road. However, their bid was rejected, ensuring the project's progress.
And this is where it gets controversial: While safety is paramount, some might argue that better planning could have minimized the impact on commuters. Was this closure truly unavoidable? Share your thoughts below, especially if you're an Ashford local who's been affected by this detour!
