Update - 31/10/25
We're making good progress and are on target to complete work replacing more than 1.7km of old metal gas main by Monday 24 November. We've employed additional resources for this job, and are working from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, as well as 8am - 1pm Saturdays, with Saturday afternoon and Sunday being used to give the new road surface materials time to set.
We're also working closely with Kent County Council to update local Sat-Nav information to more accurately reflect traffic management, especially regarding HGV restrictions on a number of roads.
We also have traffic spotters in place to help keep the traffic moving
The following roads are now marked digitally on Sat-Nav as access only:
- Straw Mill Hill
- B2010 – College Rd
- Old Tovil Rd
- Armstrong Rd
- Stockett Ln
- Old Loose Hill
- Cripple St (which should stop HGVs, and hopefully other drivers, turning off Loose Road and heading towards Hayle Mill and we also have no HGV signs on the entrance to Cave Hill)
- Brishing Lane
We'd like to thank the public for their patience while we carry out these vital upgrades.
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We're preparing to carry out urgent gas network upgrades along A229 Loose Road from Monday 20 October to ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas is delivered to nearby homes and businesses.
This work follows a series of gas leaks reported recently along Loose Road between the fire station and A274 Sutton Road. Our investigations found a significant section of this gas main is in poor condition and we need to urgently replace it with new pipe.
Our engineers will be replacing approximately 1800m of our old gas mains, which were laid approximately 100 years ago.
To ensure everyone's safety while we complete this work, A229 Loose Road will be closed to motorists between these locations. A signed diversion route via the A262 and A274 will be in place for affected road users. We're working with Kent County Council to arrange for additional signage and traffic management operatives to limit access to roads unsuitable for HGVs.
A map indicating our closure area and diversion route can be seen below.
Bus services will be affected by this work. We recommend bus users check with their service provider for any updates to routes and stop locations.
Our engineers will be working extended hours from Monday to Saturday to complete this work as soon as we can. Sundays will be used to allow road surface materials to set before progressing to the next section of work. All being well, this work is expected to last approximately five weeks.
We recognise roadworks can be frustrating, but this work is essential to maintaining a safe and reliable gas supply in the area. We'd like to thank the community in advance for your understanding.