People talk about the impact of the closure of Teston Bridge

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Transcript

00:00It's one of Kent's prettiest bridges, crossing the River Medway and on the outskirts of rural

00:05Maidstone. It's now looking ugly for drivers. Crash damaged earlier this year has closed

00:11Teaston Bridge and with other roads soon to be shut for repairs, residents say it's causing

00:17a nightmare, some reporting up to two hour delays.

00:22I mean I have to go to the hospital regularly for oncology treatment and often if Fords

00:27Lane is shut or Dean Street is shut or the bridge is shut, that makes me have to plan

00:31my journey, leave sometimes a lot earlier than I would and if my appointment is at nine

00:35o'clock I'm sometimes leaving the house just after eight to get to an oncology appointment

00:39at nine, which is four miles.

00:42Teaston Bridge would have once transported animals and goods into Maidstone.

00:47Little has changed this bridge in its 600 year history other than it being tarmacked

00:53and some tens of thousands of vehicles coming over it every month.

00:58And the local parish council say because of this historic nature, it could be December

01:03before traffic flows once more.

01:06Because it's a grade one listed bridge, they need to use lime render and mortar etcetera

01:12for the stones, which is all Kentish ragstone and they have to comply with English heritage

01:17regulations and I've been told that it takes longer for the mortar to cure when you use

01:23lime than you do with modern day mortars and stuff.

01:27It's still open to those on foot but cars wishing to cross the Medway are having to

01:31use both East Farley and Bow Bridge, both routes closing at points for repairs at the

01:37same time work is being carried out here at Teaston.

01:42The local county councillor worries these combined closures will cause chaos.

01:47It is a common thoroughfare for traffic crossing the river and is a very effective bridge.

01:56The problem we have now is that what I am concerned about with two of the key arteries

02:01closed, where does the traffic go?

02:04I just wish really that common sense would prevail.

02:07In a statement, the man in charge of highways at Kent County Council says the work is essential

02:12and crucial but he appreciates there will be unavoidable delays whilst the work is undertaken.

02:18For residents, they'll be hoping for favourable weather this November as that could mean lime

02:22mortar repairs drying quicker and therefore the bridge opening sooner.

02:27Gabriel Morris in Teaston.