Highways in Dartford

I like to think that I’m a fairly even-tempered and fair-minded type of person. My family might disagree but the only time I tend to become a little less than calm is when I’m sitting in traffic - and stationary traffic in particular. The last seven or eight months therefore, which has seen the centre of Dartford exist in a state of more or less permanent gridlock thanks to the road works on West Hill, has not been a happy time for me – or indeed for thousands of other Dartford residents.

West Hill is now open again at long last; much to the relief no doubt of anyone who has to travel within a couple of miles of Dartford town centre. The question is however how on earth was one of Dartford’s major arteries allowed to be closed for over half a year for what after all was a fairly minor programme of works?

Serious questions certainly need to be asked about the way in which the County Council has handled the project. Kent after all is ultimately responsible for managing and co-ordinating all works that take place on Dartford’s roads.

It could and should have taken a tougher line for instance with the contractors. In my opinion they were given far too long to complete the work. All too often when I went to look at the progress of the work very little appeared to be actually happening on site. The fact that the work was allowed to take place at the same time at the same time as traffic calming works in Heath Lane also doesn’t say much for the council’s strategic judgment.

To be fair the council has recognised that there is room for improvement and is now considering the introduction of a permit system for road works. This would mean that utility companies will have to book specific time slots with the council for road works rather than simply informing it of their intention to carry out works. In theory this will give the council more power to co-ordinate road-works and prevent unnecessary disruptions. I sincerely hope this does make a difference. If it doesn’t then we will need to go back to the beginning and undertake a complete review of the way in which road works are planned and managed in this county.