Potential Isolation of Iwade Village Due to Major Road Closures

By Ivan PetrenkoJun 9, 2024 05:34 AMNews
Share:
Close-up of a bus on a city street
Bus disruptions due to major road closures. Source: unsplash

The village of Iwade, located on a key bus route, could become isolated due to two significant road closures occurring simultaneously.

Swale-based bus operator Chalkwell Coach Hire has warned that ongoing work at the Grovehurst roundabout junction will disrupt its services. At the same time, Network Rail will close the Kingsferry Bridge later this month for essential maintenance.

Chalkwell Coach Hire's managing director, Roland Eglinton, explained that the 334 bus, which travels between Sittingbourne and Sheerness, will face severe challenges. The 64-year-old Kingsferry Bridge, connecting Sheppey to the mainland, requires the replacement of 40 steel ropes. This bridge repair will overlap with the £32.7 million project at Grovehurst junction, where the current dumbbell design is being replaced with a single roundabout.

The Kingsferry Bridge will be closed to all traffic, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and maritime traffic, from 10 PM on Friday, June 7, until 5 AM on Monday, June 10. Additional closures will follow from June 28 to July 7, July 12 to July 15, and July 19 to July 28, with the same timing.

These simultaneous closures mean that buses will be unable to travel north from Iwade towards Sheppey. The only alternative route involves looping back to the Bobbing junction, causing significant delays and potential traffic gridlock.

Network Rail and Kent County Council Highways, responsible for the Grovehurst junction project, stated that the Kingsferry Bridge cables must be replaced every 30 years for safety reasons. Unfortunately, these works cannot be rescheduled.

Eglinton expressed concern about the lack of coordination between the two projects, which could leave Iwade residents without reliable bus access. He emphasized the company's commitment to ensuring children reach school on time, with morning school bus journeys starting 15 minutes earlier during the disruptions.

Chalkwell Coach Hire has requested additional support from Network Rail to mitigate the impact, but no assistance has been confirmed. Passengers are advised to check Chalkwell's website and social media for updates.

A Network Rail spokesperson emphasized the urgency of the bridge repairs due to safety concerns. As a taxpayer-funded organization, they cannot compensate private businesses affected by the closures.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Emirates aircraft taking off from runway

Emirates Adjusts Gulf Travel with New Aircraft on Key Route

Jul 9, 2025 09:29 AM
Rail workers performing track maintenance at a train station during daytime

Planned Rail Works to Impact Night Trains Between Llandudno and Holyhead

Jul 9, 2025 07:36 AM

Manila Sapporo Air Route Restored This Winter Boosting Winter Travel Choices

Jul 8, 2025 20:42 PM

Ipswich Train Services Updated to Handle Large Crowds During Ed Sheeran Concerts

Jul 8, 2025 18:37 PM
WestJet airplane landing with extended flaps against blue sky

WestJet Expands Winter Flights, Unlocking New Warm-Weather Destinations for Travelers

Jul 8, 2025 16:24 PM
Transavia aircraft taking off under clear blue sky

Transavia opens early booking for popular summer 2026 routes

Jul 8, 2025 14:41 PM
Rail workers conducting maintenance inside a tunnel at night

Severn Estuary Rail Closure to Disrupt Summer Travel to Key Outdoor Spots

Jul 8, 2025 10:38 AM
Modern hotel room with neutral tones, large bed, and floor-to-ceiling curtains

Central Turin Gains New Accommodation Option in Historic Setting

Jul 7, 2025 23:29 PM
Airplane flying overhead on a clear day

New Nonstop Route Links UAE and Southern Germany

Jul 7, 2025 19:33 PM

Italy Faces Rail Disruptions Amid Nationwide Strike in July

Jul 7, 2025 17:44 PM

Nonstop Flights Between Hanoi and Xi’an Make Cultural Journeys Easier for Travelers

Jul 7, 2025 16:27 PM
Modern hotel room with neatly made bed and ambient lighting

New Hotel Project Near Berliner Tor Set to Expand Hamburg Accommodation

Jul 7, 2025 15:51 PM
A man shouting into a megaphone during a protest with a crowd in the background

Finnair Strike Cancels 100 Flights Disrupting Travel at Helsinki Airport

Jul 6, 2025 19:42 PM
Bridge and colorful buildings in central Copenhagen near the canal

Rotterdam, Copenhagen and Munich Offer Direct Access to Active Public Zones

Jul 6, 2025 17:35 PM
SunExpress aircraft in flight before landing

New Summer Route Links Liverpool with Türkiye’s Southern Coast

Jul 5, 2025 23:25 PM

Expect Train Delays as Shrewsbury–Crewe Route Closes for Repairs

Jul 5, 2025 21:41 PM

Six New Cities Added to KLM’s 2025 Network amid Growing Summer Traffic

Jul 5, 2025 19:38 PM
A steam train crossing a small stone bridge through a green countryside valley, releasing white smoke

Steam Train Journeys Return with New Routes for Exploring Britain’s Nature and History This Summer

Jul 5, 2025 17:56 PM
Two Greater Anglia trains at a station platform under electric lines

Greater Anglia Introduces Fare Offers Ahead of Summer Festivals in East Anglia

Jul 5, 2025 16:43 PM
AirAsia airplane wing with logo against clear sky

AirAsia’s New Fleet Set to Unlock More Direct Long-Haul Flights for Travelers

Jul 5, 2025 15:39 PM
Rail maintenance machinery working on train tracks near passenger trains

Calabria Rail Maintenance Weekend Disrupts Key Travel Routes

Jul 4, 2025 23:27 PM
Passenger checking carry-on luggage at airport baggage claim

Finnair Reminds Passengers of Carry On Rules Ahead of New EU Liquid Restrictions

Jul 4, 2025 21:56 PM

Cardiff Rail Upgrades Will Disrupt Weekend Travel and Affect Passengers

Jul 4, 2025 19:31 PM

Croatia Airlines Resumes Zagreb and Bucharest Flights Enhancing Travel Options for Passengers

Jul 4, 2025 17:28 PM
Covered outdoor area at Munich Airport

Munich to Casablanca Flights Resume, Opening Door to West Africa

Jul 4, 2025 15:45 PM
Manchester Piccadilly railway station with multiple platforms and trains during daytime

Rail Delays and Route Changes in Manchester During Oasis Concert Week

Jul 4, 2025 11:32 AM