A councillor fears proposed road closures will have a devastating impact on a seaside town’s tourism this summer – saying the planned gas works “could not come at a worst time.”

Cllr Mike Whiting, a Conservative member serving Teynham, Lynsted and the surrounding villages, has raised his concerns after SGN revealed its plans to close several roads in Minster for three months.

SGN say it will be necessary to close part of various roads on the Island from Monday, June 5, until works are estimated to be completed on Thursday, August 31.

According to the One.Network Minster Drive will be closed from June 5 until June 29.

It will be closed at the junction of Wards Hill Road.

Wards Hill Road will be closed from the same time, between Alston Close and The Broadway, until August 31.

Seaside Avenue will then be closed from July 24 with its estimated completion to be by August 31. It will be closed at the junction with Wards Hill Road.

Alston Close will also be closed at the junction with Wards Hill Road, for its entirety, from August 7, with its estimated completion also by August 31.

For further details and diversions click here.

SGN say the closures are required for the safety of the public and workforce while gas mains replacement works are undertaken.

However, Cllr Whiting is urging the gas company to postpone its plans until later this year.

He said: “The summer period is the height of the tourism season on the Island, when many rely on the income tourism brings.

“The population more than doubles to over 60,000 and the road closures listed are some of the busiest local roads used by tourists accessing Sheerness or the beaches of Minster. These works could not come at a worst time.

“I would ask that discussions are made about this with SGN with a view to rescheduling until early September after the important summer season has finished.”

SGN have been contacted for comment.