Drivers prepare for six-day closure of major city route

A road used by thousands of commuters during rush hour every day is to close for almost a week.

The A257 through Littlebourne is being shut for six days to allow for drainage work to a new housing estate.

And Kent County Council is recommending a lengthy diversion along the Adisham Road to the A2. The closure will be in The Hill, Littlebourne, between Newing Close and Jubilee Road, from February 16 until 22. The week-long work will be carried out during half-term meaning the usual school traffic will not be on the roads. Highway bosses say it has to be a full closure, including nighttime because the road is narrow and it is unavoidable.

It will also affect Stagecoach’s number 11 and 43 buses which come through from Sandwich, Ash and Wingham. A spokesman for the bus company said: “We’re currently working with KCC to find a way to continue to serve Littlebourne, Wickhambreaux and Ickham during this closure. “On this occasion the process for consultation hasn’t been followed, but we will do our best to make alternative arrangements for people needing to travel during this time.” Littlebourne parish council chairman Peter Farrow said: “The work was inevitable once the new development was approved by city council planners because of the narrowness of the road at that point and the situation of the sewers. “There will clearly be a lot of disruption and we and the other parishes along the A257 obviously request the works are undertaken by the contractors as quickly as possible. Local drivers will probably find there way around it but the heavier traffic will have to use the main diversion route.”

Many drivers may choose to use Bekesbourne Lane and other rat-runs which is likely to cause traffic jams in the narrow country lanes.

The diversion will likely result in thousands more motorists coming into Canterbury via the A2 and along New Dover Road.