The centre of Tunbridge Wells is bracing itself for serious congestion as a major project looms next month to upgrade gas pipelines.
The work around the town’s main crossroads, to be carried out by gas network company SGN, will last for at least ten weeks.
It will begin on September 12 on Crescent Road – between the police station and the entrance to Mount Pleasant Avenue.
This stage of the development will last three weeks and will see the inside lane of the road heading into the crossroads closed off.
The second phase will then affect Mount Pleasant Avenue for a further three weeks, with the side road being completely shut.
The third and final stage will last for another four weeks, at the end of Mount Pleasant Avenue and into Mount Pleasant Road.
There will be temporary traffic lights set up in Mount Pleasant Road, which will be operated manually to keep up access to the Town Hall, Police Station and Assembly Hall theatre.
The £25,000 modernisation of the gas supply will see modern plastic piping replace the ageing metal structures.
SGN’s Construction Manager, Steve Colvin, said: “We’ve worked closely with the local authorities in planning this work and we will be doing everything we can to limit disruption during our essential project.
“Our engineers will be working to finish this work as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate that roadworks can be frustrating and we’re aware that this area of Tunbridge Wells is particularly busy.”
