A dreaded contraflow system is set to return on the A299 Thanet Way for up to three weeks while emergency safety works take place.
The dual-carriageway has been completely shut off between Herne Bay and Whitstable since a dangerous fault was identified with jet fans in the Chestfield Tunnel during a routine inspection on Tuesday.
Engineers are working on a temporary fix in the Londonbound section of the tunnel so traffic can at least travel on one side of the road under a contraflow.
When this is in place, the tunnel will remain closed coastbound so permanent repairs can be carried out, after which the contraflow will switch sides.
It is not known exactly when the road will reopen, or how long the issue will take to fix, but a Kent Highways public notice says a 40mph limit and contraflow will be in place for “up to 21 days” from tomorrow.
The closure has pushed traffic onto alternative routes, with the A2990 Old Thanet Way bearing the brunt of rush-hour queues.
It comes not even two weeks after a previous contraflow system was removed following a six-week project that saw a stretch of the coastbound side of the A299 reconstructed near Whitstable.
During that time motorists faced delays of up to 45 minutes between Herne Bay and Dargate.
Kent County Council says it had no choice but to close the A299 this week given the safety issues uncovered on Tuesday.
A spokesperson said: “The fans are the primary safety and key ventilation system in the tunnel and are critical in the event of a fire. They help fire crews to safely evacuate people and can help to disperse traffic pollution.”
They added the power of the fans will have to be increased to a safe level in the Londonbound section of the tunnel before the road can reopen with the contraflow.
On Tuesday afternoon, KCC said in a statement: “We are working closely with our supply chain to secure the correct traffic management to introduce the contraflow and we will keep the public informed of progress. At this stage, we are unable to give an exact time for when the contraflow will be open.”
Several attempts have been made to contact the KCC press office today for further details about the reopening, but to no response.
