Major delays on the A256 Sandwich Bypass by Discovery Park continue with no end in sight as Southern Water carries out work on a second sewer pipe..
On site repairs, aided by tankers to control the sewer flow, began in December after a pipe burst.
The road was shut between the roundabout near Co Part to the Monks Way roundabout (Dover bound) causing congestion. This closure is still in place.
Many motorists have complained that there appears to be no activity at the site. One frustrated driver said: “It is possible to see the closed area of the A256 southbound carriageway when driving along the northbound carriageway, which is currently down to a single lane.
“I have driven along the northbound carriageway at least four times per week since December 13 and rarely have I seen any work being undertaken there. Usually the diggers and heavy plant are parked up in the same place they have been for weeks and no workers can be seen. This was the case (yesterday) when I drove past at 2.20pm, and has been most times when I have driven past at times between midday and 5pm.”
Southern Water says there is work going on ‘behind the scenes’ with Kent County Council to assess whether the road is safe to use.
A Southern Water spokesperson said: “As repair work continues on our pipe deep under the built-up section of the A256 near Discovery Park, Sandwich, we wish to apologise for the continued required road closure and resulting disruption to traffic in the area.
“Due to the very specialist nature of engineering work needed to access the pipe, work is not as quick as standard, shallower under-road works, but we are working to complete them as quickly as possible and have a lot going on in the background that may not be apparent to those passing by. We have also done our best to minimise the impact by keeping one lane open on the busier north bound carriageway open.
“To manage a separate repair we’ve installed temporary pipe along Sandwich Road to ensure wastewater removal for homes and businesses is not affected. Our first priorities are protecting the environment and ensuring customers are served.
“Local residents may have also noticed activity on the north bank of the Stour beyond Willow Bank. We are using tankers to manage flows while we work. We acknowledge there is additional pressure to the road network and again apologise for the disruption this is causing.
“For the latest and most up-to-date information we ask readers to keep an eye on Southern water’s Facebook page and @SouthernWater on twitter.”
Diversion – Take the exit to Ramsgate Road and follow round on to Monks Way up to the roundabout.
