Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate, has slammed the timing of the Heath Lane traffic calming works.

The traffic calming work, which is being carried out as part of the Dartford campus site development is due to begin on Monday 26 November and will last for 5 weeks THROUGHOUT the run-up to Christmas.

“The timing of this work beggars belief quite frankly. I’m absolutely astonished that Kent Highways are about to allow the work on Heath Lane to go ahead at the same time as the work on West Hill. Its shows a total lack of foresight or strategic thinking in my view,” said the MP.
“How on earth are people supposed to get into Dartford Town Centre from west Dartford once this work gets underway? With West Hill and now Heath Lane effectively out of commission there aren’t many other options left.”

“What really concerns me is the impact it will have on business in the Town Centre during the run-up to Christmas – the busiest time of the year for most shops and services. A lot of people are simply going to avoid the town centre altogether if this work goes ahead as planned and trade will inevitably suffer.”

Dr Stoate has also attacked the way in which the works on West Hill has been planned and managed.

“I’m amazed just how little progress has been made since work first got underway. In the last few weeks there’s been virtually no activity on site, and there seems to be no great urgency to get the work finished and the road open again. I find this casual attitude totally unacceptable and unprofessional. West Hill is one of Dartford’s key arteries and we simply can’t afford for the road to be closed for any longer than is absolutely necessary.”