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Businesses in Lower Rainham Road fear more disruption due to the next bout of City Fibre closures

09:25, 04 October 2023

updated: 09:44, 04 October 2023

Business owners are fearing the impact of yet more roadworks as another weekend of closures on a busy route has been announced.

Lower Rainham Road in Rainham has been blighted by constant rolling works since June as cable company City Fibre invested £40 million in Medway’s internet connectivity while SGN and Southern Water have both also done repairs to their infrastrusture.

Section of road between Berengrave Lane and Lower Bloors Lane, Rainham. Picture: Google Street View
Section of road between Berengrave Lane and Lower Bloors Lane, Rainham. Picture: Google Street View
Work at Lower Rainham Road had been ongoing for a number of months and now the road is to shut again. Picture: Stock image
Work at Lower Rainham Road had been ongoing for a number of months and now the road is to shut again. Picture: Stock image

A letter was handed out to residents this week explaining the latest closure saying it is for “remedial works” where, following the installation of the full fibre network, it is working to return the road surface to normal.

The section of Lower Rainham Road between Berengrave Lane and Lower Bloors Lane will be shut this Saturday and Sunday for all traffic though access for pedestrians and cyclists will still be possible.

Access to businesses and residents will also be available upon request to roadworkers.

The previous closures caused major traffic chaos across the area with some coining Rainham “the world’s biggest car park”.

Businesses too were heavily impacted with the owner of the Three Mariners Pub, Steve Brinsley, claiming he lost “thousands of pounds a week” due to the lack of footfall caused by the roadworks.

The Three Mariners boss Steve Brinsley has been vocal about the many closures
The Three Mariners boss Steve Brinsley has been vocal about the many closures

Now with a new closure imminent, the 51-year-old once again worries about the impact it will cause.

He said: “We’ve only just had the road open again after it being closed for weeks.

“I have already been telling customers to come a different way to not get hit by the roadworks.

“It’s only two days that’s what the letter says anyway, and I must have some faith in the letter but only time will tell if they are right, and your guess is as good as mine as to what the impact is going to be.”

This weekend is also the opening of Rainham’s Pumpkin Moon where people can pick their own festive fruit for Halloween.

The Three Mariners pub in Lower Rainham Road, Rainham. Picture: Google
The Three Mariners pub in Lower Rainham Road, Rainham. Picture: Google

Owner, James Kemsley was getting prepared for the weekend, unaware of the closure.

He said: “I thought they were meant to be done this week.

“They have shut this road in different sections throughout the summer and so to add an extra one and not contact me is mad; I have had no consultation.

“I’m not really surprised, but it’s just frustrating. It’s another hurdle we must get over.

“It’s bound to have an impact. The only saving grace is people have bought tickets.

James Kemsley (left) with Clarkson's Farm star Charlie Ireland (right). Picture: James Kemsley
James Kemsley (left) with Clarkson's Farm star Charlie Ireland (right). Picture: James Kemsley

“It’s the opening weekend so in theory, it should be one of the quieter weekends but obviously there are still significant people coming.

“Touch wood they don’t add another one because the two weekends after are the peak days.”

Upon hearing the news, the 31-year-old has said he will send a collective email explaining to visitors to allow for longer travel times and give a clear route to avoid the closure.

Adrian Smith, CityFibre’s partnership manager for Medway, said: “We would like to thank the residents of Lower Rainham Road for their patience while we carry out some crucial reinstatement works.

“We would also like to reassure them that we always aim to complete works to the highest standards in the fastest way possible.”

Pumpkin Moon in Rainham is scheduled to open this weekend. Picture: Matthew Walker
Pumpkin Moon in Rainham is scheduled to open this weekend. Picture: Matthew Walker

The Pumpkin Moon is open every weekend of October both days from 10am to 3.30pm, with the gates closing at 5pm.

All visitors must book a ticket if they wish to attend.

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