Kent County Council will be resurfacing a section of the B2026 Hartfield Road at the junction of Cowden Pound Road. Starting on 20th June 2022 the road will be closed from 20:00 to 06:00 each night for 5 Nights (excluding weekends).

During these essential works it will be necessary to close the road completely between the junction of Butterwell Hill and Hever Lane so that we can carry out the works safely for both the workforce and road users. The diversion route will be via B2026 Hartfield Road, B2028 Marsh Green Road, B2028 Moor Lane, B2028 Racecourse Road, B2028 Town Hill, B2028 High Street, B2028 Plaistow Street, B2028 Newchapel Road, A22 Eastbourne Road, A22 London Road, A264 Moat Road, A264 Cranston Road, A264 Blackwell Road, A264 Holtye Road, A264 Colestock Road, B2026 Hartfield Road and vice versa.

Spode Lane Closed at Hartfield Road diversion via Spode Lane, Butterwell Hill and then on to the above diversion.
Cowden Pound Road closed Hartfield Road diversion via Cowden Pound Road, Cow Lane, Blowers Hill and then on to the above diversion.

This type of work can be affected by bad weather, so if it is not possible for us to carry it out at this time, we will arrange a new date and let you know via a letter drop to your home. We will also put up signs along the road, before we start, showing the date we plan to start work.

What we plan to do
We will remove the existing road surface by a method known as milling. The complete area will then be swept by a mechanical sweeper to ensure the prepared surface is clean and free of dust and debris. If required, the existing manhole covers, and rain water gully gratings will be adjusted or replaced to the correct level before the new surface is laid. Please note that this operation is noisy and can be prolonged as it is carried out using pneumatic hand tools.
The new surfacing material will then be laid using a machine called a paver and compacted with a roller. This is a quick process and dependant on the design will either be a one or two-layer process. Finally, following completion of the surfacing, all associated road markings will be re-painted. The road will then be re-opened. Please note that during the whole process, audible warning reversing sirens will be heard along with flashing beacons; this is a health and safety requirement and cannot be turned off but will be kept to a minimum.

Why are we doing this work?
The majority of capital investment in maintaining our highway network is funded through various capital maintenance grants from the Government. To make best use of that finite resource we carry out condition surveys and inspections, using a combination of mechanical and visual means, together with an assessment of local needs, and that helps to inform an annual capital works programme that balances value for money and our duties under the Highways Act 1980. Our approach to highways asset management is based on using robust data to inform how we invest the funds available, so that we spend the right amount of money at the right time to reduce the cost of maintenance overall. Further details of our works programmes and our approach to highways asset management more generally can be found at www.kent.gov.uk.