Kemsing and Seal closures

I will post about things other than road closures, but there are a couple of developments following on from my previous post.

The first is that there will be overnight (2000 to 0500) closure of Childsbridge Lane outside Redcot, starting tomorrow (23 May) for up to 2 days. This is for Kent Highways to carry out highway patching.

Secondly, the nighttime closure at Noah's Ark (for works to the M26 bridge by National Highways), originally scheduled for 6 to 8 June, has now been rescheduled for 16 to 20 June between 2200 and 0500.

… and some more road closures

More on some road closures.

One coming up very quickly is the closure of Pilgrims Way East for two days, starting tomorrow (15 May). This is to replace a length of kerbing. Signs have been up in the road for some time.

Somewhat further out, Noah's Ark bridge over the M26 will be closed overnight (between 2200 and 0500) on 6-7 and 7-8 June. This is for works undertaken by National Highways, who are examining the joints and structure of the bridge. This will overlap with a closure of Watery Lane/ Heaverham Road outside the Manor House; scaffolding for roof works will mean a closure of the road between 6 and 15 June. 

These two closures clash to some degree, since the normal diversion route from Watery Lane would be through Noah's Ark; vehicles affected by this will have to take the same diversion as that applied for Noah's Ark, which is to go back to the A25 and then Childsbridge Lane (or vice versa). This clash will, however, only apply during the two night closures, so the number of journeys affected should be much less than would otherwise be the case.  

In Shoreham, Shacklands Road will be closed for three days starting 5 June outside Timberden Farm for works to be carried out by Thames Water.

In Otford, Rye Lane will be closed for four days starting 9 June between 0930 and 1530 outside number 30 for works to be carried out by Openreach.

Road closures coming up

There are an increasing number of local road closures reflecting highway repairs carried out by Kent County Council. Here are a few that are coming shortly:

Fackenden Lane (Shoreham) closed on 11 May for 1 day.

Bower Lane (Eynsford/ Shoreham) closed between Bower Farm and Westwood Ho on 12 May for 1 day.

Firmingers Road (Well Hill, Shoreham Parish) - closed at the junction with Well Hill on 1 June for 1 day between 0900 and 1600.

For other reasons, Rock Hill (Well Hill, Shoreham Parish) will be closed outside Rock Cottage on 24 May for 2 days - this is for KCC drainage works.

For Shoreham residents, it's also important to note that later in the month, and for other reasons, there will be a longer closure. Station Road will be closed at the junction with the A225 for 9 days from 27 May; this, however, is for works by UK Power Networks.

Helping Out in Knole

As promised (if that’s the word), a picture from today’s litter pick in Knole Park as part of the Big Help Out. All very organised (hence the radio ear piece) and a tour of the park to accompany it.

The Coronation and the Big Help Out

I wish everyone an enjoyable and celebratory Coronation weekend. In addition to tomorrow’s Coronation itself, and the range of celebrations (street parties, Big Lunches and more) taking place over the weekend, Monday is the day of the Big Help Out, an opportunity to volunteer and make a difference locally.

For this, Kent County Council is working in partnership with Kent Volunteers to promote local volunteering activity. I’ll be taking part by joining the big help out litter pick at Knole Park (pictures promised. The aim of the campaign, in keeping with the Kings promotion of community life and voluntary action, is to leave a legacy of volunteering commitments.

You can find KCC’s media release about the Big Help Out here.

Road closures in Knatts Valley and Kemsing

East Hill Road, Knatts Valley, is due to be closed for much of the next two days. (The part of the road in Sevenoaks North and Darent Valley is in Shoreham Parish). The closure will be from 0930 to 1530 for up to two days starting tomorrow, Thursday 20 April. 

The closure is for Kent County Council to carry out carriageway patching - which reflects the state of the road after winter damage. Since East Hill Road is a No Through Road, there is no alternative route, but Kent Highways adds that ‘Every effort will be made to maintain access for residents whenever it is safe to do so’.

For anyone living in Knatts Valley/ Otford Hills, there is a further closure in the area, of Cotmans Ash Lane, the route between this area and Kemsing. This is described as being on or after the 20th, for up to one day. It is also a Kent Highways closure, in this case related to drainage works.

The Space at Riverside

This morning I visited The Space at the Riverside Club in Eynsford. Established just before Christmas as a Warm Space but focusing increasingly on building community and addressing social isolation, the Space has seen sharply increasing attendance at its Wednesday morning open sessions. (Mean attendance has been 60, but last week it was 97). Just in the hour that I was there this morning (and that was shortly after opening at 9), a growing number of people were coming in.

The Space has been developed by Darent Valley Community Church and has secured grants in its early months from Sevenoaks District Council. It serves food and has provided a warm space over the winter, but its main focus on addressing isolation and offering meals, activities and learning (in particular, in relation to IT) speaks to many of the themes emphasised in KCC’s Framing Kent’s Future and to our emphasis, and that of many public agencies on the role of social links and contacts in strengthening both individuals and communities.

My thanks to Adrian Elms, Pastor of DVCC and all those involved in The Space who made me so welcome this morning. I expect to be back.