Work is finally taking place to repair Albion Road in Broadstairs which was damaged due to a burst water main on December 27.
The road is still closed while work takes place and Stagecoach services The Loop and 8X services are diverting via Millmead Road and St Peters Road (at the back of the hospital). The service is not currently serving St Peter’s.
Stagecoach say the diversion is in place until Friday (January 6).
A Kent County Council spokesperson said: “Albion Road has remained closed for Southern Water to carry out repairs to the road caused by the burst water main. This includes some re-surfacing work.
“The road is expected to re-open on the 6th January.”
The length of the closure has been called “unacceptable” by resident and campaigner Jenny Matterface.
She said: “At long last workmen are on site but this has been a major inconvenience for everyone relying on buses in the Beacon Road ward area because there is no alternative service and there have been children going to school who have had to walk to the railway station or the Wheatsheaf stop. There were no proper signs so people have also been waiting at the bus stop for a service that won’t arrive.
“This is a main road and a major bus route and it will have taken more than a week to start repairing two holes.
“I realise workman are returning after the festive break but it is an unacceptable delay to repairs on a main route.”
Jenny said road signs have now been appropriately placed to let drivers know about the closure.
She said: “There are finally road closed notices sited properly rather than having people swinging round the corner and then having to U turn. Shockingly, some divers were seen mounting the pavement to bypass the Heras fencing.”
County Councillor Ros Binks said she has been informed by Kent Highways that the work, which is the responsibility of Southern Water to carry out, is expected to be complete by the weekend.
UPDATE JANUARY 6: A Southern Water spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the reinstatement has been done today and the road will re-open by the end of day.”
