Locals frustrated at 'constant' town road closures

2 days ago

Robert BoddyLocal Democracy Reporting Service

A Strood pharmacist said the roadworks had left residents in the dark

Local Democracy Reporting Service The image shows a woman wearing a blue T-shirt with a tassel necklace. She is in a pharmacy and behind her are rows of medication. — A Strood pharmacist said the roadworks had left residents in the dark

Residents of a Kent town say they have had enough of "constant" closures on its main road, and want to know when the disruption will end for good.

Station Road in Strood was closed from the train overpass on 8 February for emergency gas works, only reopening on 1 March, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Vannessa Roach, 62, vice chair of the Frindsbury Extra parish council, said a lack of communication about "constant" roadworks has left residents in the dark and businesses struggling.

Gas supplier SGN said it understood people's frustration, but repairs were essential "to keep everyone safe and warm". Medway Council has been approached for comment.

There was a separate emergency gas leak on February 24 at the other end of Station Road, which caused another road closure.

The road closure has affected local business and deliveries

Local Democracy Reporting Service The image shows road closures in front of a row of houses. — The road closure has affected local business and deliveries

Roach, who is also a pharmacist at Williams Chemist in Frindsbury Road in Strood, said: "The businesses here have been affected - we've had our medical delivery drivers get stuck in the traffic and delays when medication and things arrive.

"We weren't told what's happening, how long it will last, and what work's being done to prevent emergencies happening in the future.

"It just makes things so unpredictable - all we want is fixes to last longer than five minutes and for SGN and Medway Council to provide more information when these things happen to help people plan."

'Essential work'

In a letter to SGN, the parish council said Station Road was "a key transport route through the Medway Towns" and the continued disruption was having "a significant impact" on residents, local businesses and public transport.

SGN spokesperson Dan Brown said: "We recognise roadworks can be frustrating for road users, residents and businesses... but this is essential work to keep everyone safe and warm.

"We'd like to reassure the community we're doing everything we can to complete this work and clear our site as quickly and safely as possible."

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