Brands Hatch is hosting Paralympic road cycling

by Nisha Chopra

Businesses along the Paralympic road cycling route around Brands Hatch say they expect to be thousands of pounds out of pocket due to road closures during the Games.

The event, which will run for five days from a fortnight today on September 5, will close part of the A20.

No vehicles will be allowed to access Scratchers Lane, which runs around the back of the racing circuit.

But Anna White, who owns Day and White's Automotive in Scratchers Lane, said she cannot expect to open if customers have to go "above and beyond" to get to her garage.

She said: "They're shutting the roads, which are our lifeline for customers to come to us - so how they think we were going to keep trading when the roads are shut is beyond my comprehension.

"We think that we'll probably lose around £10,000 in that one week.

"Despite all the hard work we've done to acquire these customers, they're not going to bust a gut to get here because they don't know the roads - they're expecting them to go down little dirt tracks and single roads."

Angry residents previously set up a petition and created a website over the road closures - arguing a normal four-mile trip would turn into a 31-mile round trip because of the A20 closure. This would see times going from seven minutes up to 46 minutes.

About three miles of roads will be closed from 4.30am on Monday, September 3 until midnight on Saturday, September 8.

The A20 at Gorse Hill: from south of Eglantine Road to south of Brands Hatch entrance will be closed except for access.

Scratchers Lane, Fawkham: from its junction with A20 London Road throughout its entire length to its junction with Fawkham Road will be closed with restricted access.

Part of Fawkham Road, West Kingsdown: between Scratchers Lane and a rear entrance to Brands Hatch will be closed with restricted access.

A spokesman for Paralympic organisers LOCOG, which has asked Kent Highways to implement the road closures, said: "In order to deliver road cycling safely for the Paralympic Games, we must clear the route of any vehicles and make sure its secure using barriers and stewards.

"The closures and diversions have been communicated to residents and businesses in good time and advice given about using alternative routes where necessary."

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