An experimental closure of a junction opposite a historic pub earmarked for demolition gets under way today to the dismay of residents.

Cranborne Avenue, in Maidstone, leads on to the A229 Loose Road but the route is being shut off as part of an 18-month traffic experiment.

It's part of a wider plan for the junction surrounding the Wheatsheaf pub, which is set to be demolished and replaced with a roundabout.

KCC had initially intended to close the road from Friday last week but that was put back until today (Monday) and it will stay that way until September 24 next year.

But people who live in neighbouring roads say the planned closure will cause them nothing but problems.

John Stephens, of Hampshire Road, said: "It’s not at all helpful for people living on this road.

"A lot of people come up this road and onto the A229 so it means we’ve got to make a big detour either up to Sutton Road or down to Plains Avenue.

"It makes these journeys even busier and it virtually isolates this part of the estate."

William Laidler has been a resident of Marion Crescent, just off of Cranborne Avenue, for 37 years.

He said: "My reaction is one of exasperation and total disbelief because closing this junction is not going to solve the alleged problems at the Wheatsheaf junction.

"The problems it's going to cause residents in this area, I don’t think the council has really understood.

The road closure plan has frustrated people living in the area

"We are the residents, we know the problems but these decisions are being made by people who live in other parts of the county town without adequate knowledge of what it’s like to live in this area."

Mr Laidler was very animated in response to the council's plan.

He had previously filed a petition against the plans which received more than 800 signatures.

He said: "That petition was successful at the time and of course like everything else they come round again.

"They paid half a million pounds for the Wheatsheaf pub all for the sole purpose of pulling it down to allegedly improve this junction.

"It’s not going to improve it at all. Instead of the pub we are going to have a little park over there with a couple of seats. Who wants to sit in a couple seats out there with all this pollution in the air?"

Mr Stephens shared a similar view to Mr Laidler and said: "I thought it was a ridiculous plan because if they were going to knock the pub down they could’ve made that easier for large vehicles to turn left there to go up the Loose Road instead."

Kent County Council said people would be asked for their views on the changes.

A KCC spokesman said: "From March 28 officers will be implementing an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order preventing drivers accessing Cranborne Avenue from the junction with the A229 Loose Road.

"This traffic order is the first phase of the wider Wheatsheaf junction improvement which is scheduled to be carried out during 2023.

"The traffic impacts will be reviewed during the closure to inform the final design of the Wheatsheaf improvement.

"A consultation will be launched to capture views on this scheme."

A consultation on the plans runs until September 19, 2022. You can take part here.