Pembury Road, one of the main routes into Tunbridge Wells, is set to reopen this Friday, ending weeks of frustration for motorists who faced major traffic congestion.
The roadworks, which started on July 24, were scheduled to take six weeks, but after works progressed quicker than expected, the gas network now says the road could be cleared as soon as Friday.
Dan Brown, spokesperson for gas company SGN said yesterday (Tuesday): “Earlier this month, our contractor provided additional resources to help carry out the remaining required gas network upgrades in the Pembury Road area.
“This enabled engineering works to progress more quickly than originally anticipated and the road will reopen approximately two weeks ahead of schedule.
“This week, we’re working to make the final network upgrades, before restoring the road surface and surrounding area to its original condition.
“All being well, the road will be safe to reopen on Friday 18th August.”
While the gas works were being completed, the road was being fixed by contractors, WCB, and the gutters and landscaping cleared by Kent Highways.
Cllr David Hayward (Pembury ward), expressed his gratitude on behalf of the residents for the earlier finish.
He told the Times: “The contractors were always very happy to give me updates and I am really happy with it and I think they have done a great job.
“After Greg Clark and I put pressure on SGN they agreed to work 12-hour days and have two crews working instead of one, moving from each end to the middle, and I think it has gone swimmingly.
“They haven’t resurfaced the whole road, which is what many people thought they were going to do, but the job they have done is brilliant.”
The closure of Pembury Road caused huge backlogs of traffic along the A264 and issues with illegal diversions through Liptraps Lane, as reported by the Times on August 2.
