Motorists face long diversion to avoid route

Ahead of the lengthy closure last year, transport chiefs at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) said they did not know Newtown Road would be closed for eight months until reading about it in the Kentish Express.

The outlet extension, which is costing £90m, is expected to open in the autumn, adding 50 new shops to the site.

Centre manager Peter Corr said: “Our construction partners, McLaren and Walker Construction, have advised that in order to complete the Newtown Road improvement works in their entirety an additional closure for a shorter period of time is required this spring.

“The closure will be in place from May, however, we are currently in discussions to determine exact dates, as well as the easiest, safest and most efficient way to complete the remaining road improvement works with minimal disruption to residents and commuters.

“As soon as a decision has been reached we will share further information via resident letters and commuter leaflets.”

Cllr David Smith (Ashford Independent and ward member for South Willesborough) says there seems to be a “lack of information” about the closure.

The Royds Road resident said: “It will be 10 weeks of chaos and upset.

“I believe efforts will be made to try to cut the closure down, but they want 10 weeks.

“I don’t think these works could be done until the new units at the outlet went in and they want to put in a proper pedestrian crossing point.

“I think they want to get it done before the school holidays start in the summer [in July].

“But people are going to be extremely upset about it. “For people living in Newtown, the alternative route is via the Orbital Park, but then they hit the roadworks on the A2070 and have difficulty there. “People can go via Boys Hall Road and into Willesborough to get to town, but that puts more pressure on that part of town as it becomes a rat-run.

“People who use taxis also suffer, with some fares doubling.

“A lot of the drivers have been very good and shut their meters down, but for some people it can be double the fare.

“The pubs [The Albion and The Alfred Arms] are going to feel the pinch again too. “They said they had a noticeable drop in trade during the previous closure last year.”

New shop to open at outlet next week. See Kent Business on page 32.