Traffic woe as key route to be closed for urgent repairs

Maidstone is gearing itself up for more delays as a key route will be closed for urgent repairs.

Farleigh Lane will be shut for resurfacing, despite assurances from Kent County Council’s highways chiefs that no other major work would take place while the gyratory project was under way.

It will be shut between Gatland Lane and Tonbridge Road for six days from Monday, between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Arriva, which runs buses on the route, is already warning users to expect delays.

Kevin Root, general manager of Arriva’s Maidstone depot, said: “Unfortunately these works will take place alongside the major works on the gyratory system in the town centre, even though we were assured that no works affecting bus routes would be undertaken at the same time.”

KCC’s project manager Russell Boorman had previously promised there would be no other major roadworks permitted anywhere in the borough of Maidstone, and that KCC would liaise with other boroughs, such as Tonbridge and Malling, to make sure there weren’t delays on key routes such as Hermitage Lane.

A diversion will be in place along Glebe Lane, A26 Tonbridge Road and vice versa.

Mr Root added: “We are pleased the works in Farleigh Lane are taking place during the school holidays, but regrettably diversions will be necessary and the 85/86 service plus Service 8, which runs between Maidstone Hospital and Downswood, will be subject to delays.

“Arriva would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused and we are advising people to leave extra time for their journey.

“Unfortunately this situation is beyond our control and any delays will not be down to the drivers.”

The bus company said its social network pages would be updated as frequently as possible.

A KCC spokesman said it did not consider the works in Farleigh Lane to be major.