Swanley Village works: four way lights due in Highlands Hill

Thames Water recently distributed letters to Swanley Village residents concerning the works currently taking place in Highlands Hill. These set out the expectation that, because of the depth of works required in their programme of installation of new equipment on their water pipes, the full closure on Highlands Hill was set to continue until 31 August - with a big impact on the village, its residents and businesses.

There are in fact two sets of works which Thames Water are carrying out. The first was due to be completed on 31 August, and KCC Streetworks encouraged Thames Water to undertake the second set of works at the same time; the alternative would have been for Thames Water to return during the October half term. Given the wish to avoid yet further disruption to the village, KCC Streetworks proposed, and Thames Water agreed that this second set of works be carried out concurrently with the first.

KCC’s Streetworks Team visited the site late last week, and I understand that the first set of works are now ahead of schedule and should be completed within the next week (precise date to be confirmed). At this point it will be possible to carry out the second set of works by closing just one lane and use of four way traffic lights. The lights will be manually controlled from 0730 – 0930 & 1530 – 1900hrs to ease congestion.

Four way lights do, of course, involve longer waiting times but there will at least be access, easing to some degree the disruption to the village in the latter part of this month.