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East Farleigh Bridge and Milton Street to be closed to repair potholes

Potholes are a constant problem at the moment but two in particular, around a mile apart, have caused serious concerns for drivers.

East Farleigh Bridge in Maidstone was closed on January 16 by South East Water to repair a leak, with the works scheduled to be completed by Friday.

Huge pothole just before the East Farleigh Bridge near Barming, Maidstone
Huge pothole just before the East Farleigh Bridge near Barming, Maidstone

The company suspended their repairs due to railway works taking place, temporarily filling the hole in the road until engineers could return.

But drivers found themselves having to avoid a huge pothole close to six inches deep, filled with a pool of water and spanning half the width of the bridge.

Cars could be seen nervously crawling towards the hole avoiding it as much as possible.

Earlier this week, Joanna Cork took to Facebook to warn others of the issue.

She wrote: "The pothole at East Farleigh Bridge is half the size of the bridge now (width) looking like a mini crater/sinkhole.

East Farleigh Bridge. Picture: Steve Crispe
East Farleigh Bridge. Picture: Steve Crispe

"I have reported it and reports are already made by others. Yes I know we have thousands of pot holes about but this one tops the lot.

"Please report this yourselves as well. Avoid driving that way so it doesn’t get bigger."

Cones were laid around the hole to help guide traffic safely over it.

Andy Beston, regional network manager for South East Water, said: “We were permitted to return yesterday, and our repair team will be on site today and tomorrow to continue the repair.

"The pothole is now within the road closure and so is no longer affecting the carriageway.

East Farleigh Bridge is set to be closed for repairs
East Farleigh Bridge is set to be closed for repairs

"It will be repaired when the carriageway is returned to its original state once we have fixed the leak on the water main."

Work is expected to be completed on schedule by Friday.

Kent County Council's Structures team are currently on site with South East Water’s contractor to ensure no damage happens to the ancient bridge structure.

A mile away in Milton Street, Barming another depression in the road is causing concern, with some residents speculating it is the start of a sinkhole.

It appears a previous pothole has been repaired in the spot but now the ground surrounding it has begun to sink, breaking up the tarmac.

The depression in the road beginning to drop in Milton Street, Barming (62030018)
The depression in the road beginning to drop in Milton Street, Barming (62030018)

Barming is all too familiar with the issue of sinkholes, with many cases plaguing the area for decades.

In September 1994 the Tonbridge Road was shut when the road dropped into a crater underneath - a problem which happened again in 2018 and 2021.

KCC has said they are monitoring the depression with a plan to close the road on Friday to carry out an investigation.

The area has been made safe in the meantime with police on the scene to help the council move parked cars.

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