More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Traffic on one of Kent’s busiest routes will be reduced to a crawl when a 20mph speed limit is imposed next month.
The daytime restriction is due to come into force for two weeks on the A299 New Thanet Way between the St Nicholas roundabout near Birchington and Herne Bay.
Kent County Council’s highways department says it is so the five-mile stretch can be sprayed with a special substance to protect the surface from potholes developing.
The work – set to start on May 6 and end on May 21 - will see the speed limit on both the Londonbound and coastbound carriageways restricted between 9.30am and 4pm.
But drivers have reacted with dismay at the go-slow, which is likely to cause long tailbacks and delays.
“20mph seems a bit extreme and surely there’s a more logical way to avoid so much mayhem, like not imposing it on both sections at once?” said Marcus Evans on Facebook.
Richard Edwards agreed, adding: “Normally, works like this are carried out overnight and speed restrictions are never this low.
Steven Young wrote: “They just do things like this to basically just be a pain in the backside to everyone. 20mph outside junior schools is about right, but that’s about it.”
“What an absolute joke, that’s a really long stretch of road, “ added Lynn Humphreys.
“As if it’s not bad enough already with all the traffic lights being installed at Eddington.”
But Liam East supports the preventative work, writing: “It will save the taxpayer money in the long run, but people complain if they fix the roads and complain when they don’t.”
A spokesperson from Kent County Council said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works.
“The works will extend the life of the road by preventing the cracks and defects which eventually lead to potholes, using a cost-effective method.”
In this case, the road is being treated with a product called Reclamite, a spray-applied rejuvenation treatment used further down the A299 last year.
The spokesperson added: “By reducing the speed limit, we are able to keep one lane open safely, thereby limiting disruption by not having a full road closure.
“Unfortunately, due to the nature of the treatment, it can only be applied during the daytime and in certain weather conditions. This also means that works may be delayed or cancelled if there is cold or wet weather."
She added that the 20mph speed restriction was necessary to ensure the safety of the workforce.
