Fears over 'deeply impacting' 20-mile works diversion

A man says his family faces more than 180 miles (290km) of added travel a week for his children's school run due to roadworks which are set to last 12 weeks.

Parts of the A225 Dartford Road in Horton Kirby near Dartford will be closed between January and March for gas company SGN to replace a mains pipe.

Resident Charles Devine says the closure will add over 20 miles (32.1km) each way to the school run and worries his wife could be late for work, while others are raising fears they could feel the pinch amid high fuel prices.

An SGN spokesperson said it "recognises the impact" that works might cause, while Kent County Council said closures were sometimes "the only safe way" to carry out works.

Devine said: "We understand why the main needs changing, but we don't understand why now.

"We don't know why they [KCC and SGN] haven't asked for it to be done over the school holidays.

"My wife needs to be back for work at 08:30 GMT and she'll never make that in time. It will be deeply impacting."

During the roadworks, Devine said the school run would add as many as 300km (186 miles) over the course of a normal week.

Under the planned diversion route, drivers will go via the A225 Main Road, along to the A227 and onto the A20.

A petition has been launched calling for the road closures to be reconsidered, citing the impact on residents as well as the possible negative effects on emergency services trying to access the area.

Luciano Roberto, who runs a cafe in Dartford, said: "For me it's a 32-minute diversion.

"It is going to be absolute bedlam. It will make life miserable, and with other closures ambulances have had to divert all the way through the village.

"When fuel is still so expensive we will definitely feel the pinch."

A spokesperson for SGN said the works were "essential to ensure we can continue to provide local homes and businesses with a safe and reliable gas supply".

"We recognise the impact these essential works might cause and have worked closely with Kent County Council to do everything we can to minimise disruption," they added.

A council spokesperson added that it worked closely with utility companies to monitor works, and that additional closures around the A225 were necessary to stop traffic diverting through the village.

Peter Osborne, Kent County Council's member for transport, added: "I know roadworks can be frustrating, especially when they mean road closures, but sometimes it's the only safe way for utility companies to carry out essential work.

"A signed diversion route will be in place throughout the works, and residents will have access to their homes, and Eglantine Villa Care Home, at all times.

"We have also worked with local bus operators to maintain services in the area, although some routes will need to be diverted for the duration of the works."

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