Brexit blamed for roadworks causing long delays in Maidstone
Published: 12:18, 17 October 2019
Updated: 13:10, 17 October 2019
Brexit is to blame for an "awful lot of road repairs" in the County Town according to the leader of Maidstone Borough Council.
Trouble started on Monday when commuters were left sitting at their steering wheels in frustration after a power cut caused traffic lights to go out along Mill Street.
KMTV report on traffic chaos for commuters
Some who drive into town reported a half an hour journey had taken them nearly two hours.
Martin Cox, leader of Maidstone Borough Council, says although traffic works have ended on the A229, more works on the horizon could bring roads to a standstill.
He said: "One thing everybody would really like to understand is why are they all being done now.
"Possibly, and I hate to mention the B word, an awful lot of road repairs have been carried out because of the anticipation of people not being able to get around of various major roads.
"Therefore any repairs that have to be done are being done ahead of October 31.
"So yes I am sure that nobody likes sitting in traffic but if you can do those journeys on foot or by bike then that is obviously the best way."
But a Maidstone Green Party member is calling for the council to do more to tackle the issue.
Steve Cheeseman said: "The problem we have in Kent is public transport is simply inefficient for what we need.
"Therefore we have more cars on the road and inadvertently there are more roadworks because we need to repair and fix those roads, so the problem starts at council level and it needs to be resolved.
"We only have to look up the road to London and the things they do.
"For example they have rental bicycles, better public transport, low emission zones. We don’t do any of that in Kent because our councils simply aren’t up to it."
A number of roadworks are due to take place across the town before October 31, but Kent County Council says these are not related to Brexit.
A lane closure along Upper Stone Street is in place from Monday-Friday near The Pilot pub.
Further up the road another lane will be shut while BT carry out work.
Delays are also expected from Monday until Sunday, October 27, along Mote Road while the phone company carries out construction works for the new nearby development.
During the same timeframe the A20 Ashford Road will be subject to traffic control while improvement works take place.
Roadworks along Albion Place, the A249, are also likely to cause delays until Friday, November 1.
UK Power Networks apologised for Monday's delays.
A spokesman said temporary lights were needed for safety while engineers fixed a traffic light fault.
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Jess Sharp