Kent Street
Work started on 17 February to upgrade the Kent Street and A228 Malling Road junction in Maidstone to traffic lights.
Why we're making changes
The existing junction has very poor visibility for vehicles wishing to turn out onto the A228 Malling Road. The existing carriageway width makes it very tight when large vehicles pass each other and any incidents on this route can cause a high-level of disruption to the surrounding road network.
This scheme aims to improve the junction allowing vehicles to turn in to and out of Kent Street more easily. The scheme will also provide improved footway and cycling facilities along Malling Road as well as signalised pedestrian crossings.
What will change
The scheme includes:
- traffic signals installed at the junctions on Kent Street and Malling Road to improve turning in and out of the road
- widening of the carriageway along Malling Road from the junction at Kent Street to Beech Road. This is to aid HGVs travelling along the road and vehicles turning in to Kent Street
- a new push button pedestrian crossing facility on Malling Road near the junction of Kent Street
- a new crossing point with tactile paving at Beech Road
- relocating existing utility services and a new hedgerow to suit the new road layout
- a 2.5 metre wide pavement on the western side of the Malling Road towards Kings Hill
- two new bus stops to the north of Kent Street - one on either side of Malling Road.
Timescales
These phased works started on 17 February and will take around 40 weeks to complete (approximately 23 weeks of traffic management).
We will be working all day (unless otherwise stated below) using temporary lights. Some nighttime closures (8pm to 5am) will be necessary for resurfacing works and buried services connection.
Beech Road and Kent Street (west) arms will be closed from 31 March to November 2025.
| Phase | Section | Traffic management - temporary lights | Traffic management - nighttime closure | Temporary work date(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Removal of some hedging and trial holes before works start | Mobile working only (from 9:30am to 3:30pm) | - | From 9:30am to 3:30pm from 17 to 23 February |
| 2 | A228 Malling Road between Kent Street (east) and Property No. 212 | 3-way temporary lights Pedestrian lights | - | 31 March to 22 June |
| 3a | A228 Malling Road between Kent Street (west) and Beech Road | No temporary lights needed for this phase | - | 22 June to 22 September |
| 3b | A228 Malling Road between Kent Street (west) and Beech Road | 3-way temporary lights Pedestrian lights | - | 22 September to 30 November |
| 4 | Kent Street (w), Beech Road and A228 Malling Road - road crossings, ducting for signals or utility services and high friction surfacing | - | Kent Street (west), Beech Road and A228 Malling Road - closed | Dates and times to be confirmed |
| 5 | Traffic signals/utility diversion installations | 3-way temporary lights | - | 22 September to October |
| 6 | Road markings | 4-way temporary lights | - | 22 September to October |
Scheme documents
We consulted with the public about the Kent Street and Malling Road junction improvements from 23 May to 3 July 2023. Read more about the consultation, including the final consultation report. The consultation report was presented at the Tonbridge and Malling Joint Transport Board (JTB) on 18 September 2023 where it was approved.
Scheme plans
- Overview plan (PDF, 572.8 KB)
- Detailed plan of junction layout (PDF, 511.0 KB)
- Plan 1 (PDF, 308.1 KB)
- Plan 2 (PDF, 234.4 KB)
- Plan 3 (PDF, 225.5 KB)
- Plan 4 (PDF, 267.3 KB)