New Hythe Lane in Larkfield to be closed for three days
14:38, 06 January 2023
updated: 15:51, 06 January 2023
A busy road is scheduled to be closed this month for "post-treatment ironworks".
New Hythe Lane in Larkfield will be shut for three days while maintenance is carried out by Kent County Council (KCC).
The roadworks are said to be part of an on-going maintenance and improvement of the highway network.
KCC will be completing post-treatment works to the carriageway and has released details of the plans in a notice.
It said: "Following on from our road surface treatment earlier in the year, we will now be returning to raise any ironwork and ensure that it is level with the new surface.
"The raising of ironwork requires completion after the new surface is laid, as undertaking this activity prior to surfacing can compromise the works and result in the gullies and manholes not being level with the new surface.
"Our works will ensure the ironwork is raised to the correct level and compliment the recent surfacing works."
As a result, New Hythe Lane – between Kingfisher Road and Leybourne Way – will be closed from Saturday, January 14.
The council says the maintenance should take three days to complete and will be worked on between 9am and 3.30pm.
Drivers will face around a two-mile diversion route through Kingfisher Road, Lunsford Lane, Gighill, and Leybourne Way.
A number of people have commented on the scheduled works via Facebook.
Lydiä Rosè said: "Oh yay right on school-run time."
Ryan Godbold said: "More traffic misery" and Arran Smith added: "Gridlock ensues."
The notice goes on to say that vehicle owners need to make sure to park elsewhere while the work is carried out, so the road is clear.
"During these essential works it will be necessary to close the road completely so that we can carry out the works safely for both the workforce and road users," it states.
"It is inevitable that residents and businesses near the works will experience some disruption, but we will try to keep these to a minimum.
"Any pavements will remain open at all times, but vehicle access to properties will need to be restricted for a short period while work is carried out in front of each property."
