Those going to work and school have described a “nightmare” journey as road closures continue to clash with planned water works.
People travelling via Wateringbury are set to face further delays as SGN confirmed its gas works will continue until June 12.
It comes after emergency repairs shut the A26 Tonbridge Road and Red Hill at the crossroads in Wateringbury, last week.
At the same time, planned waterworks along Maidstone Road, Nettlestead, saw the road shut.
While Maidstone Road was made passable over the weekend, the road was expected to close again at 7am, but many say it did not close until 10am.
The closure is expected to end today at 5pm today, according to one.network.
One resident from Paddock Wood said: “It’s been a nightmare getting to and from work as everybody is trying to go through Yalding – absolute nightmare.
“It’s added 40 minutes to my day overall and would be completely avoidable if they actually did some work on Maidstone Road, rather than no one ever being there.”
Another parent travelling to East Peckham said a six-mile trip ended up being a 26 miles, and the usual seven minute journey took 35 minutes.
She said: “Nettlestead is stuck between the gas works closure and the water works closure.
“The only alternatives are via Gibbs Hill (a single track lane) or via Yalding which has a single lane bridge.
“In Nettlestead there hasn’t seemed much keenness to get the works completed.”
According to the roadworks site one.network, Tonbridge Road and Red Hill will be closed until next Wednesday, June 12 for repair and maintenance works.
Bow Road at the crossroads will also have two-way signals until June 12.
A diversion route has not been publicised online, but some drivers are choosing to go via Yalding and Teston.
A spokeswoman from SGN said last week: “To ensure everyone’s safety while we work, temporary traffic lights are in place from Tonbridge Road to Bow Road.
“There is a temporary road closure at the other side of the junction of Tonbridge Road and Red Hill Road.
“We are currently monitoring gas readings and carrying out investigations to identify exactly where the gas is leaking from our pipe.
“We will then carry out emergency repair work.
“Currently it’s too early to say how long our work will take to complete but we are working as quickly and safely as possible.”
Arriva posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Due to multiple road closures, our services will be unable to serve stops between Fountain Lane in Maidstone and Mereworth.
“They will divert via Hermitage Lane, A20 and A228 (Kings Hill). We do not have an end date at this time. Apologies.”
South East Water’s regional distribution manager, Adam Newbury, said last week: “We’re sorry to residents and drivers who are affected by the road closures on Maidstone Road in Nettlestead.
“These measures were implemented to repair a burst main and keep the public and our staff safe.
“Our teams worked as quickly and safely to repair the main and will continue to do so to restore the road to as close to its original state as possible.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.
“While we complete these repairs, we’re unable to give an estimate for how long the road will remain closed.”
SGN and South East Water have been contacted for updated comments.
