'Chaos' as 12-week works disrupt journeys

The A229 between Maidstone and the Medway towns will have 12 weeks of lane closures

Motorists say their journeys have descended into chaos due to roadworks at one of Kent's busiest junctions.

Lane closures began on Monday to allow surveying for improvements to the A229 at Bluebell Hill. They are expected to last 12 weeks.

Sherri Leppard, from Walderslade, whose son attends a Send school in Ashford said the 45-minute trip now takes two hours, adding: "It's very difficult to explain to him why the journey takes longer and I really feel for his poor taxi driver too."

Kent County Council (KCC), which initiated the works, said it appreciated the disruption and apologised for the "impact on residents and commuters".

Sherri Leppard from Walderslade says her son's journey to school has more than doubled due to the roadworks

Local residents say they have had to alter their journeys because of the traffic congestion.

Clair Ansell, who runs The Harrow Inn in Lidsing, said she has had to change her daily routine.

"Normally I'm out getting my shopping by half seven but because of the delays I'm having to leave it until after the school run and rush hour. It's chaos."

Tyler Beale, who lives in Wilmington but works in Rochester, said: "I leave home early for work anyway but these roadworks are adding extra time to journeys.

"On the positive side they are improving the road which in the long term will make things easier for everyone."

Tyler Beale who works in Rochester is looking on the positive side of the roadworks and says they will improve journeys in the long term

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tris Osborne told BBC Radio Kent he had questioned KCC over whether the major roadworks had been planned "sensibly" and why they had not been carried out "during the summer holidays when the roads are less busy."

KCC said the survey work is the first step in the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme, which aims to "deliver long-term benefits for road safety and traffic flow".

The lane closures will be staggered and limited to a maximum of three weeks per location.

The next phase of work on the Lord Lees and Taddington roundabouts and Walderslade Woods Road is due to begin on 22 September.

The wider scheme aims to improve the A229 between the M2 and the M20 to reduce congestion, improve journey time reliability, and enhance road safety.

It is estimated to cost £250m and is currently awaiting funding approval from the Department for Transport.

Construction is due to begin in 2029 and be completed by 2031.