Kentish Express Ashford & District
Drivers react to road closure as widening starts
The three-month closure of a major road in Ashford began this week, with motorists already reporting problems.
Work on the A2070 Kennington Road began on Tuesday, with the road being widened at the pinch point between the junction at Blackwell Road North and the industrial area.
Residents will still be able to access their properties and there are diverted routes to the businesses but there will be no through traffic between the two roundabouts in either direction.
Due to the size of the project, the road will have to be closed for nearly three months and already the work is causing traffic problems throughout the town, with many motorists saying they are experiencing delays and longer journeys.
There have also been concerns about the effect on the William Harvey Hospital, as the main approach to the hospital is on Kennington Road.
A spokesman from the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) said: “We’ve been in close contact with KCC and SECAmb and we’re working together to address roadworks affecting the A2070 Kennington Road.
“Roadworks are a regular occurrence across the county, and something that East Kent Hospitals and its partners are used to planning for.
“We’d like to remind motorists to be extra vigilant and aware of ambulance vehicles, and indeed any emergency vehicle, looking to make its way through any heavier traffic.”
Motorists have been expressing their frustrations on our Facebook page.
Jade Wilson-Bell said: “Living on the road means I have to use Junction 10 whenever I leave my house. I’m not even going to attempt to go out at rush hour as everyone coming out of the hospital will all be going the same way!
“A 10-minute journey to work now will take me 25 minutes on a good day!”
Claire Masters said: “It’s ridiculous... major inconvenience.”
However, among the annoyance, many agree the project was needed.
Holly Louise Pout said: “This has definitely been a long time coming regardless of how much an inconvenience it is!”
The road works are expected to be completed by September 3.