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Noisy nighttime roadworks planned for Folkestone Road, Dover, with pneumatic tools and sirens are a ‘necessary evil’

Residents in a built-up area are bracing for noisy nights of roadworks - including the “prolonged” use of pneumatic tools and warning sirens.

Resurfacing will take place over less than a mile of Folkestone Road, Dover, later this month and will last more than a fortnight.

A sign warning of the roadworks in Folkestone Road, Dover
A sign warning of the roadworks in Folkestone Road, Dover

One local councillor says people living along the stretch will inevitably be disturbed but the works are a “necessary evil” as the road is in desperate need of repair.

The resurfacing is from Folkestone Road’s junction with Priory Station Approach Road to Shakespeare Road.

It is for eight weekday nights, from 8pm to 5am, from Thursday, September 26, and ending on the morning of Tuesday, October 8.

A letter to residents from Kent County Council (KCC) says: “Please note that this operation is noisy and can be prolonged as it is carried out using pneumatic hand tools.”

Due to health and safety reasons, there will be flashing beacons, while during the whole process “audible warning reversing sirens will be heard”.

Where exactly the Folkestone Road works in Dover are and when
Where exactly the Folkestone Road works in Dover are and when

The KCC letter adds: “It is inevitable that residents and businesses near the works will experience some disruption and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.”

Road workers will remove the existing surface with a system called milling and then sweep it with a machine.

The new surface will be placed with a machine called a paver but the council says this can be done quickly.

The stretch of Folkestone Road will have to close while the work is being done and drivers who usually park there will have to find somewhere else.

Most of the work will be in the Town and Castle ward, with a small amount on the Maxton and Elms Vale side.

Cllr Michael Nee says the roadworks are a “necessary evil”
Cllr Michael Nee says the roadworks are a “necessary evil”

Cllr Michael Nee, district member for Maxton and Elms Vale, said: “The works are a necessary evil and will inconvenience many people in the ward and there’s no doubt in my mind that there will be serious consequences for some residents.

“The movement of the vehicles, the lights and the milling process will disturb them.

”Unfortunately, it is logical to carry out the works when it disrupts the least amount of traffic, plus the road surface desperately requires repair.”

The diversion route during the closure will be via York Street, the A20 Snargate Street/Archcliffe Road, the A20 trunk road and the B2011 Folkestone Road at the Courtwood Interchange and vice versa.

Elms Vale Road will also be closed at its Folkestone Road junction. The alternative route for traffic will be via Elms Vale Road, Eaton Road, Astor Avenue, Tower Hamlets Road, Bridge Street, Maison Dieu Road, the A20 Townwall Street and York Street.

There will be limited access to properties along Folkestone Road during the works but a traffic management team will allow vehicle movement when safe to do so.

The dates could be cancelled if there is severe weather. If so, new times will be announced in advance.

Kent County Council has been contacted by KentOnline for further comment.

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