The gas supplier SGN will start work on Monday June 17 to upgrade the gas network on the A268 Rye Road at Hawkhurst which will lead to the closure of the road for five weeks. SGN is replacing old gas mains and services with new plastic pipes “to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area”.
SGN’s initial proposal was to close the Rye Road for 11 weeks over the summer holidays, from June through to September. Following complaints from local residents, led by borough and Kent county councillor for the area Seán Holden, SGN amended its plans for the work.
In a statement, SGN said: “We’ve revised our work plan to reduce the length of time our project will take and now expect to be completed by Tuesday July 23. This allows the road to be fully open for seasonal trade. We’ve listened closely to everyone’s feedback and it has been agreed with Kent County Council that this temporary road closure is the safest plan for carrying out our work.”
There will be extended working hours to complete the work in a shorter duration and any work not done by July 23 will be done later in the year.
There will be two signed diversions in place – regular traffic will be diverted via the B2244 Junction Road, Main Road and Bodiam Road. HGVs and large vehicles will be diverted via the B2244 Junction Road, the B2089 Chitcombe Road, Northiam Road, and the A28.
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