Update on Bay Hill Road Closures

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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

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.