Update on Bay Hill Road Closures

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Updated 27th February 2025

As a reminder of where we are in the Roadworks Schedule approved by KCC

Schedule of Works Approved by KCC on Bay Hill still outstanding

10 March – 4 April 2025 – SGN will be working around the Bay Hill Bus Stop but will keep the turning circle open for the buses during the day but Bay Hill will be closed outside Coastguard Cottages, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The diversion for these works will be via Bay Hill, Hotel Road, and Granville Road.

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Updated 24th February 2025

As a reminder of where we are in the Roadworks Schedule approved by KCC

Schedule of Works Approved by KCC on Bay Hill still outstanding

27 January – 7 March 2025 (Finished 27th February) – UKPN: From the junction with Sea Street to approximately 120 meters West (just past Bay Hill Close fka Coastguard Cottages)

24 Feb to 7 Mar (Finished 27th February) Multiway lights to be in place.

10 March – 4 April 2025 – SGN will be working around the Bay Hill Bus Stop but will keep the turning circle open for the buses during the day

The diversion for these works will be via Bay Hill, Hotel Road, and Granville Road.

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Updated 20th February 2025

More good news, Southern Gas Networks (SGN) have also agreed to keep the turning circle available for use by buses during their works between the 10th March and the 4th April 2025.

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Updated 18th February 2025

Stagecoach have shared an update they received from KCC Highways to say that the works on Bay Hill will be completed Tuesday and Wednesday night this week. There will be no impact to the buses and works around the bus stop/ turning area will be finished by Thursday morning.

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Updated 12th February 2025

Highways emailed us today to let us know work had resumed on the turning circle, but if you have been up to the top of Bay Hill today you will have seen they haven’t. For now the buses are still able to run through the village but once the works do resume that will likely change. Stagecoach will assess the level of highways incursion when the works resume and see if they can run buses through the village.

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Updated 8th February 2025

The Turning Circle has been reopened overnight. We have let Stagecoach know and buses have resumed – this is an ever changing situation and we don’t know yet what Monday will bring, but we will do our best to keep you updated as soon as we hear / see anything

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Updated 7th February 2025

Thank you for your patience while we sought clarity regarding the roadworks, which have now commenced on the turning circle. What was initially communicated to us as minor traffic light control with no impact on bus services has instead resulted in a full closure of the turning circle and a suspension of bus services throughout the village—something neither Stagecoach nor the Parish Council were informed of in advance.

This morning, we spoke directly with the contractors, who confirmed they are ahead of schedule and are digging a trench along Bay Hill/Sea Street to connect to the substation at the Lighthouse Road junction. They have assured us they will work as quickly as possible to reopen the turning circle and restore bus services.

Frustratingly, KCC Highways has failed to provide clear or timely updates to the community, nor has accurate information been made available on their One.Network website. Any updates seen there today were made only after our direct intervention, rather than through their own processes.

We completely understand the inconvenience this has caused and will continue to push for better communication and swift resolution.

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Schedule of Works Approved by Kent County Council

13 January – 24 January 2025 – Affinity Water: Bay Hill Close to The Bay.

The diversion for these works will be via Bay Hill, Hotel Road, and Granville Road.

27 January – 7 March 2025 – UKPN: From the junction with Sea Street to approximately 120 meters West (just past Bay Hill Close fka Coastguard Cottages)

  • 27 Jan to 23 Feb – Activities are to take place between 22:00 and 06:00. After that standard hours are to be worked.

  • 27 Jan to 23 Feb Road closed nightly. Access to be maintained.

  • 24 Feb to 7 Mar Multiway lights to be in place.

27 January – 23 February 2025 – UKPN: Adjacent to The Edge

Activities to take place between 22:00 – 06:00 Access to be maintained

10 March – 4 April 2025 – SGN: We don’t have exact details yet but it looks like it from the Junction with Sea Street below the entrance to Bay Hill close (fka Coastguard Cottages)

The diversion for these works will be via Bay Hill, Hotel Road, and Granville Road.

Please refer to One.Network Kent for up to date details of all scheduled roadworks.

 

The Parish Council has been working since September 2024 to address concerns regarding multiple road closures scheduled for Bay Hill, beginning 27th January 2025. Below is a chronological summary of our efforts to engage with Kent County Council (KCC) Highways and the utility companies involved, highlighting the delays and lack of communication that have complicated this matter:

September 2024:

  • The Parish Council contacted KCC Highways to discuss the proposed closures and requested detailed information, including schedules, diversions, and coordination plans. No response was received.

29th October 2024:

  • After continued silence from KCC, the Parish Council escalated the issue to Cllr Roger Gough, Leader of KCC, requesting his intervention.

  • Cllr Gough directed Cllr Neil Baker to provide the necessary details and liaise with us.

8th November 2024:

  • In response to inquiries Cllr Manion, the Highway Manager informed them the Streetworks team would contact the Parish Council. No such contact was made.

19th November 2024:

  • Due to continued inaction, the Parish Council again contacted Cllr Gough to highlight the lack of engagement from Cllr Neil Baker and the Streetworks team.

26th November 2024:

  • Cllr Baker provided a schedule of works for closures between 27th January and 7th March 2025, including information that some works would take place overnight.

  • While this was helpful, it came far later than requested and did not address concerns about the length of closures or proposed diversions.

3rd December 2024:

  • The Parish Council thanked Cllr Baker for the details provided but reiterated concerns regarding:

    • The impracticality of the proposed diversions.

    • The cumulative impact of closures now extending into April 2025.

  • We invited Cllr Baker to visit St Margaret’s Bay to discuss these concerns in person. No response has been received.

12th December 2024:

  • At the Dover Joint Transport Advisory Board (DJTAB) meeting, Cllr Bates read a statement (please click on image to open full statement) on behalf of the Parish Council, emphasizing:

    • The delays in receiving information from KCC Highways.

    • The safety and accessibility issues posed by the proposed diversions.

    • The need for improved communication and coordination from KCC as the overseeing authority.

23rd December 2024:

  • The only response from Cllr Baker was an acknowledgment that the proposed diversion via Hotel Road was the only option available, with no engagement on our concerns or invitation to meet.

29th December 2024:

  • A journalist from Kent Online published an article after picking up on the story following the statement presented at the DJTAB. Kent Online Article

30th January 2025:

  • Cllr Baker and a number of officers from KCC hosted a Zoom call with members of the Parish Council to run through the concerns of the community. Members of the streetworks team who are responsible for co-ordinating roadworks were in attendance.

Ongoing Concerns:
The closures, which now extend to 4th April 2025, involve works by multiple utility companies (gas, water, and electricity).

Key issues include:

  • Impractical diversions that could hinder access for emergency vehicles and cause significant congestion.

  • Noise disturbances from overnight works scheduled just metres from residents’ homes.

Despite legislative requirements for KCC to approve reasonable requests from utility companies, we believe better communication and coordination are critical to minimizing disruption for residents and businesses.

The Parish Council continues to advocate for a more collaborative approach and practical solutions. We encourage KCC Highways to meet with us and work towards addressing these challenges effectively.

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate this difficult situation.