Pilgrims Way to reopen

I now have an update and Pilgrims Way will be reopened, most likely late tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. In any case, it will be open before 0600 Thursday.

There are currently three sets of excavations by SGN and these will be filled in and left to cure in the course of tomorrow. The reinstatement needs to cure (harden); if traffic goes through the road before this, there could be damage to the road and the need for a yet further closure.

While these works have been going on, KCC has used the closure to carry out three sets of works in Pilgrims Way, addressing kerbing, drain cleansing and potholes at the edge of the carriageway. As a result, the closures that I highlighted originally for the end of this week are now thankfully not needed.

A big day in Dover

I posted in early February about our concerns over the potential impact of the EU’s introduction of its Entry Exit System (EES) on traffic and other disruption in Kent. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to visit both Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover to see their preparations, and government has emphasised its recognition of the importance of the issue and the actions it is taking to address it. (A good example of this was the session of the European Scrutiny Committee, to which I had previously given evidence, on 1 May with Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove and Transport Minister Guy Opperman). 

Today Radio 4’s PM Programme was broadcast from Dover; the intended focus was on the EES issue, and I was interviewed towards the end of the programme. All of which was somewhat upended by the announcement at lunchtime that Dover’s Conservative MP, Natalie Elphicke, had crossed the floor to Labour. 

Nonetheless, EES did get some coverage; my interview is towards the end, at about 53 minutes in. After some unsurprising questions about the MP, I was able to put across both the work that is being done and the continuing risks and challenges. What we need is early sharing of national data so that we are clear as to what must be done; as much as possible to secure pre-registration to ease the pressure on the highly constrained Port site; funding to address some of the local needs, such as road maintenance on heavily used diversion routes and driver welfare sites and facilities; and recognition that, while this is an issue playing out in Kent, it is also of national significance and impact. 

… and works delayed

An amendment to the post below … The start of the Rye Lane works has been delayed as contractors have been diverted by emergency works elsewhere. These works will now start on Monday 13th and so there will be no closures until then. They will either make up the time or the programme overall will be rescheduled - to be confirmed. I will update this when we know more about timing.

Road closures for gas works in Otford

A reminder of the series of road closures in Otford in the coming weeks and months. These are planned closures for gas mains replacement works by SGN in the roads to the south of Pilgrims Way West. Here are the closures and diversion routes: 

Rye Lane, Otford - Phase 1, Pilgrims Way West to Willow Park

06.05.2024 – 24.05.2024

Diversion is via Willow Park, Telston Lane, Pilgrims Way West, London Road, Dunton Green, Station Road, Dunton Green, Rye Lane, Dunton Green and vice versa.

Phase 2,   Rye Lane between Willow Park and Ryecroft.

13.05.2024 – 14.06.2024

Diversion is via Pilgrims Way West, London Road, Dunton Green, Station Road, Dunton Green, Rye Lane, Dunton Green and vice versa.                    

 Phase 3,  Rye Lane between Ryecroft Road and 14 Rye Lane

13.05.2024 – 14.06.2024

Diversion is via Pilgrims Way West, London Road, Dunton Green, Station Road, Dunton Green, Rye Lane, Dunton Green and vice versa.

Broughton Road, Otford (Private Road) Full Length of the Road

06.05.2024 – 31.05.2024

Access Maintained

The Charne, Otford   Junction with Rye Lane

20.05.2024 – 14.06.2024

Access Maintained

Ryecroft Road, Otford (Private Road)  Full Length of the Road 

13.05.2024 – 18.06.2024

Access Maintained

 WILLOW PARK, OTFORD   BETWEEN Rye Lane and O/S 11

06.05.2024 – 24.05.2024

Diversion is via Telston Lane, Pilgrims Way West, Rye Lane and vice versa

Willow Park, Otford         Full Length of the Road

03.06.2024 – 12.07.2024

Diversion is via Telston Lane, Pilgrims Way West, Rye Lane and vice versa.

Flowerfield, Otford     Junction with Willow Park

24.06.2024 – 22.07.2024

Access Maintained

Telston Lane, Otford     Pilgrims Way West to Willow Park

01.07.2024 – 02.08.2024

Access Maintained         

Hale Lane, Otford      Junction with Telston Lane

01.07.2024 – 02.08.2024

Access Maintained