The inconvenience of long-running gas repairs in Borden has been made worse by a lack of communication, says a councillor.

The mains replacement work started in July with, seemingly, no definite end in sight.

It is being carried out in sections and is now taking place in The Street, the main road through the village.

It has led to complaints from landlords of the Maypole that business at the pub was badly hit due to drivers avoiding the area.

Borden Parish Council member Mike Baldock, contacted Kent County Council (KCC) and gas repair contractors Morrison Utility Services.

He said: “The contractors have not been communicating with the community very well to let them know what’s happening.

"And the communication between KCC and the gas company hasn’t been all that great.”

Cllr Baldock said following a meeting with the contractor, which is working on behalf of Southern Gas Networks, it was agreed traffic control signals would be removed overnight and at weekends to offset delays in The Street.

He said despite initial hiccups the new system appeared to be working.

He said work was likely to continue until June, with mains replacement to be done in Wises Lane and Ponds Farm Road after the work in The Street.

Cllr Baldock said KCC would be monitoring the situation each fortnight to head-off further delays. “The roadworks are absolutely necessary, but have had a dreadful impact on the church and the pub,” he said.

“We just hope the gas company now gets on with it as efficiently as it can.

"It was supposed to be a straightforward job and they can’t rely on taking advantage of the people of Borden anymore.”

SNE first contacted Morrison Utility Services in December and a further request for a response was made early last week.

The company has yet to reply.

A KCC spokesman said: “When the works started it was found that the ground conditions were not as expected and a change in equipment was required.

"This equipment was larger and meant that a road closure was required to provide the necessary safety zones.”

She said the council had been in conversation with the contractors and agreed an alternative way of working.

“The road is now open and two-way lights are in place as contractors have now reached the wider part,” she said.