Work starts on A2 roundabout connecting Frognal Lane development to London Road, Teynham near Sittingbourne
Published: 05:00, 24 March 2024
Work beginning on a multimillion-pound road layout on the A2 can be seen in new drone images.
Access roads and a roundabout are being built as part of controversial plans to build 300 homes next to Frognal Lane, Teynham, near Sittingbourne.
The Roman statue of the sea god Triton which was uncovered nearby is set to feature in the roundabout when it is finished.
Work is set to be completed on the road changes by September 2024.
The roundabout will also connect to the existing Claxfield Road junction.
In the images, the outline of access roads can be seen clearly next to the green fields by the development.
Developers, Chartway Partnerships Group, say the majority of the work will be completed within the site off the A2 before the new roundabout will then be connected to London Road and Frognal Lane at a later stage.
During this stage “diversions will not be necessary”, a Chartway spokesman said.
They say works will be carried out “sensitively”, with temporary traffic controls on the A2 when needed.
Within the landscaped centre of the roundabout and the precinct wall will be a Roman statue of the sea god Triton, which is around 1,700 years old.
The statue was discovered during an investigative dig related to the housing development, which also uncovered a Roman mausoleum containing a coin dating back to c.320 to 330 AD.
In a letter to neighbours, site manager Matt Freeman said: “As part of our commitment to achieving the highest possible standards of operational excellence we will be monitoring every stage of the project to ensure that our work does not cause un-due disturbance, inconvenience or stress.
“We advise you of any activities which may affect you and would like to take this opportunity in advance to apologise for any inconvenience which may be caused during the construction.”
Work on the roundabout had been earmarked to begin last October, but Chartway delayed the project “to avoid the festive period and take advantage of more favourable weather conditions”.
Once the works are finished, construction will begin on the 298 homes, with an anticipated completion date of 2027.
The development, in partnership with Moat Homes, will sit between Frognal Lane and Orchard View Lower Road.
The plans for Frognal Place include new employment space, sports pitches, a pavilion and allotments.
Some 50 of the homes will be available as “affordable housing” while another 50 will be shared ownership.
However, locals have expressed their concerns about the scale of the development, which will see a large rise in the village’s population.
Speaking previously Conservative councillor for the area, Cllr Julien Speed: “No one locally is happy about this. Teynham doesn’t have the infrastructure to cope with 300 more houses.”
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Joe Crossley