Maidstone A26 Tonbridge Road resurfacing

We will be resurfacing a large section of the A26 Tonbridge Road in Maidstone from Tuesday 18 May. We expect to finish by 12 June 2021, but dates may change if we are affected by bad weather.

The A26 is an essential route through Maidstone that needs resurfacing to make sure the road is of a good standard. This will prevent further deterioration and the need for smaller repairs which could cause more roadworks, delays and congestion.

The section of the A26 we will be resurfacing is between Westree Close and St Andrew’s Church. To complete this work safely and efficiently we need to fully close the road while work is taking place, which will cause disruption for residents, businesses and local road users. The closures and work will be at night between 9pm and 5am to minimise disruption to the road network.

We will divert traffic via the most suitable alternate routes. If you live within the section of road being closed and need access while works are ongoing, please speak to our on-site team who will help you.

Read more about what to do if your road is going to be improved.

What we are doing

We will remove the existing deteriorated road surface and following preparation works, apply a new road surface.

As part of the preparation works, we will adjust or replace any drains or manhole covers as necessary. We will also be replacing skid resistant surfaces on the approach to pedestrian crossing points.

Learn about the types of road and pavement treatments we carry out.

We have written to residents and businesses affected by the resurfacing. Read the start of work notification letter (PDF, 101.2 KB).

The work will be carried out in 2 main phases.

Works will start where the A26 meets A20 Terrace Road and end at the Queens Road junction. Between 9pm and 5am we will need to close the road completely between these points.

We will focus on smaller sections within this wider area to minimise issues for resident access including for those who live on adjoining side roads.

We will cordon off the area where we are working each night but outside of this cordon (but within the wider closure) there will be traffic cones and barriers in place to slow traffic for safety.

Diversions

Traffic will be diverted via B2246 Fountain Lane, B2246 Hermitage Lane, A20 London Road, A20 Tonbridge Road, A20 Terrace Road and vice versa.

For vehicles with a height greater than 15’3” (4.6m), due to a height limit on the primary diversion route, the division is via B2246 Fountain Lane, B2246 Hermitage Lane, A20 London Road, A20 Coldharbour Lane, M20 J5, M20 J6, A229 Royal Engineers Road, A229 Fairmeadow, A20 The Broadway, A20 London/Tonbridge Road and vice versa.

Residents of Fant, south of the A26 Tonbridge Road will be able to access their properties when exiting Maidstone town centre via Westree Road or when heading towards Maidstone town centre via Fant Lane. If you live within the closed extents of the A26 Tonbridge Road itself, approach via the closest adjoining side road, such as Western Road or St Michaels Road. There will be operatives at the junctions to allow managed access to residents.

If you live in Bower Lane, Evelyn Road, Newton Close or Bower Place, due to the one-way traffic orders and narrow widths, approach the area via the A20 London Road, Bower Mount Road, Cornwallis Road and Bower Street. This route will ensure the distance travelled through the construction site will be kept to a minimum.

As the works progress we will change the area of the closure to resurface the junction at Queens Road.

Works will start where the A26 meets the Queens Road junction and end outside St Andrew’s Church. Between 9pm and 5am we will need to close the road completely between the A20 Terrace Road and B2246 Hermitage Lane to divert through traffic on alternate routes. Access to the A26 will not be possible from Queens Road.

We will focus our work on smaller sections within this wider area to minimise issues for resident access, including for those who live on adjoining side roads.

We will cordon off the area where we are working each night but outside of this cordon (but within the wider closure) there will be traffic cones and barriers in place to slow traffic for safety.

Diversions

Traffic will be diverted via B2246 Fountain Lane, B2246 Hermitage Lane, A20 London Road, A20 Tonbridge Road, A20 Terrace Road and vice versa.

For vehicles with a height greater than 15’3” (4.6m), due to a height limit on the primary diversion route, the division is via B2246 Fountain Lane, B2246 Hermitage Lane, A20 London Road, A20 Coldharbour Lane, M20 J5, M20 J6, A229 Royal Engineers Road, A229 Fairmeadow, A20 The Broadway, A20 London/Tonbridge Road and vice versa.

Residents of Fant, south of the A26 Tonbridge Road will be able to access their properties when exiting Maidstone town centre via Westree Road or when heading towards Maidstone town centre via Farleigh Lane and Gatland Lane. If you live within the closed extents of the A26 Tonbridge Road itself, approach via the closest adjoining side road, such as Western Road or St Michaels Road. There will be operatives at the junctions to allow managed access to residents.

If you live in Bower Lane, Evelyn Road, Newton Close or Bower Place, due to the one-way traffic orders and narrow widths, approach the area via the A20 London Road, Bower Mount Road, Cornwallis Road and Bower Street. This route will ensure the distance travelled through the ongoing construction site will be kept to a minimum.

Getting to my property

You will be able to drive to your home or business. Speak to one of our on-site team who will allow you access. There may be a short delay, but we will try to escort you through as soon as possible.

Pavements will be open, so you will be able to walk through the works. Please take care as there will be work vehicles and possibly other vehicles accessing property.

On street parking

You will not be able to park on the road while work is taking place. There will be cones and signs showing the no parking areas. If cars are parked here we cannot do the planned work.

We acknowledge on street parking can be limited and we apologise for any inconvenience the parking situation may temporarily cause. If parking your vehicle at an alternative location, please read the parking information signs before leaving your vehicle to ensure you comply with any parking restrictions.

Noise disruption

Due to the nature of the work there will be significant noise disruption. It will be loudest and more frequent during the preparation stage and will be more intermittent during the laying of the new surface.

Time and days of works

We need to repair busy, strategic routes at night to minimise the overall disruption to residents and businesses as well as the wider road network.

The road closure will be at night, and then safely reopened during the day so daytime traffic and access is not affected by our work, and will not affect commuters, deliveries and commerce in the area.

Work is planned to take place between Monday and Friday nights. If work is delayed because of bad weather or complications we may work on Saturday or Sunday nights so not to extend the overall time period of the work.

Emergency service access

If emergency services need access to premises within our road closure, we will of course provide this access as a matter of urgency.

If you have a business within a road closure

If your business is within the area of road due to be closed, there could be an impact during the hours the road is closed. Pavements will remain open so customers can continue to visit your premises on foot. If you have staff making frequent journeys at night we advise they park outside of the road closure and walk the final part of the journey. If you’re expecting any significant overnight deliveries, please call 03000 41 81 81 so we can discuss this with you.