A major route is set to be closed for more than five weeks during the school summer holidays.

Gas upgrades will be taking place along Pembury Road in Tunbridge Wells.

The upgrade involves replacing old metal gas mains and services with new plastic pipes.

Yesterday work started in Sandown Park, Sandown Close, Sandown Grove and Swallow Drive.

Contractor WCB Utilities will be completing the changes on behalf of SGN.

From Monday, July 24, the A264 Pembury Road will be closed between the junction of the A21/A228 and Sandown Park.

They estimate to finish on Friday, September 1.

At the same time, Cornford Lane will also be closed at the junction with Halls Hole Road, to “discourage drivers from attempting to use it as an unsuitable diversion route”.

The company says that the roadworks have been “scheduled for the school holiday period to try to reduce disruption as much as possible”.

It goes on to say: “We understand people can get frustrated by roadworks and therefore we only use traffic management that we feel is efficient enough to complete these works safely for ourselves and the public.”

Signed diversion routes will be in place, but are yet to be announced.

Access will also be allowed for both residents and businesses.

On a local Facebook group a number of residents have pointed out the timing of the upgrades.

One person said: “It’s going to be hell,” whilst another commented: “What a disaster.”

Some are also speculating that drivers will have go via the North Farm estate as a diversion route.

Mike Martin, prospective Lib Dem candidate for Tunbridge Wells, believes the works should be 24/7 to speed up the closure.

He said: “The roadworks that are planned are going to cause road chaos for residents in Tunbridge Wells, Pembury and the local area, and potentially will impact on emergency access to the Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

‘...local residents have not had information about this closure, or the diversion routes that will be in place.’

“I have written to Kent County Council asking them to consider other options such as conducting low-noise work at night so that the closure will be for a shorter time period; or, reconfiguring the works such that full closure of the road only occurs at night, when traffic is low.”

He added: “It is also unacceptable that local residents have not had information about this closure, or the diversion routes that will be in place.

“This information will help people plan their routes and daily journeys.

“I am calling for every household to be sent details of the closure together with a full explanation of the diversion routes that will be in place and any details of any other traffic management measures.”