Junction work to ease delays

Work to improve a road overloaded by development is set to begin next month.

The scheme to help traffic flow on Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, has been developed to ease the congestion at the entrance to the retail park.

The layout will provide a longer dedicated lane for vehicles turning right into the complex.

Russell Boorman, Kent County Council project manager, said: “These changes will allow an uninterrupted straightahead lane to be provided for through traffic heading south through the junction.

“A dedicated left turn lane will also be provided on the other side of the junction which will mean less delay for north-bound traffic.”

Construction runs from September to December.

Mr Boorman added: “Our works will be carefully managed to keep any additional delay to a minimum.

“It is planned to remove the existing traffic islands to allow traffic to move through the junction whilst construction is underway.

“Temporary traffic signals will mirror the current signal operation.

“Resurfacing works and traffic island modifications will be undertaken during the night. Lane closures will be kept to the minimum necessary to enable the scheme to be constructed.”

A pothole caused traffic nightmares on Tuesday, closing one lane to traffic at about 9.30am.