Project Information
From Monday 4 January for approximately twelve weeks, our engineers will be completing gas main replacement work on Dartford Road. These works are essential to ensure we can continue to maintain a safe and efficient gas supply to the community and avoid disruptive gas leaks in the future.
To ensure everyone's safety, phased road closures - with signed diversion routes - and other traffic management will be required. This includes Eglantine Lane and Franks Lane being shut to motorists at their junctions with Rays Hill for the duration of the works. Pedestrian and emergency vehicle access will be maintained throughout.
We recognise the impact these essential works might cause and have worked closely with Kent County Council to do everything we can to minimise disruption. More detailed information about this project can be found on our website, and we will keep local people updated as works progress.
The section of main being replaced is a very old metal gas pipe that has had a number of emergency gas leaks. The pipe now needs to be replaced to avoid further disruptive emergency works and ensure a safe and efficient gas supply for years to come.
Where the pipes are in the road there is insufficient road width available to safely allow vehicles to pass. Closing roads is always our last option. We work closely with the Highways Team to ensure all options are considered, ultimately it is down to safety of the public and our engineers.
Due to the nature, scale and location of the works, A225 Dartford Road will need to be closed to enable the replacement works to be carried out safely and efficiently. To facilitate this closure, it is necessary to close Eglantine Lane, and at a later stage Franks Lane. Eglantine Lane is being closed at the junction of Rays Hill.
Why is Eglantine Lane being closed?
Given the narrow road widths, limited passing places and lack of pavements in parts of the village, leaving Eglantine Lane open could result in significant additional traffic, congestion and safety risks for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and residents. The closure arrangements are intended to prevent the village from becoming an alternative through-route for significant volumes of diverted traffic.
Emergency blue-light access will be maintained throughout the closure. However, access for other vehicles will not be possible during this time.
The relevant resilience and emergency planning arrangements are being considered, with the Kent and Medway Resilience Team included in the wider planning and coordination process. We will continue to work with the relevant authorities and emergency service representatives to ensure that emergency access requirements are considered throughout the programme.
Discussions have taken place with relevant bus operators, including Go-Coach, Arriva Kent Country and the operators of school transport services. Initial feedback has been encouraging, with operators indicating that services should be able to continue operating, subject to their final route and timetable assessments. We will continue to liaise with operators and encourage them to communicate any anticipated delays or temporary changes to passengers in advance.
There are several reasons why engineers may not always be visible on site. To maintain gas supplies while replacing the gas main, some tasks require them to work away from the immediate area. These include:
- pressure testing at local governors
- completing gas connection work within properties
- collecting materials from nearby storage locations
- waiting for concrete to cure during road reinstatement
SGN and our contractors will work with affected businesses, schools and community organisations to understand specific concerns and identify reasonable support measures wherever possible. Where businesses believe they have incurred losses or additional costs as a direct result of the works, they can contact compensation.claims@sgn.co.uk. Any claim will be assessed in accordance with the applicable policy and eligibility criteria.
If you have any further enquiries, please contact SGN customer services on 0800 912 1700 or customer@sgn.co.uk.