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Roadworks at Shorts Way junction with Borstal Street, Rochester, to start next week

Work to improve visibility and safety at a busy junction gets under way next week.

Motorists often struggle to turn in and out of the tight junction of Shorts Way and Borstal Street, Rochester, as it is at the top of a steep hill and parking can also cause problems.

The junction of Shorts Way and Borstal Street, Rochester. Picture: Google Maps
The junction of Shorts Way and Borstal Street, Rochester. Picture: Google Maps

The improvements will involve bringing the give way lines forward and introducing measures to discourage parking in front of a nearby shop.

The work will be carried out during the day, starting on Monday, September 26, and is expected to take no more than four weeks.

The junction has poor visibility partly due to legitimate on-street parking, particularly on the right-hand side coming out of Shorts Way, which can be made worse if someone parks illegally in front of the shop.

Shorts Way will be closed but Borstal Street will remain open, with traffic being controlled by two-way temporary traffic lights, past the working area.

Cllr Alex Paterson (Labour and Co-operative) said: "This has been an issue of concern which I raised repeatedly with officers since I was elected and I am delighted that we finally have some movement towards a solution.

Parking in Borstal Street can cause problems. Picture: Google Streetview
Parking in Borstal Street can cause problems. Picture: Google Streetview

"What the new works cannot change is the fact that Borstal Street is still very narrow. But increasing visibility at the junction will, I hope, reduce some of the risks currently posed by inconsiderate and illegal parking obscuring oncoming traffic.

"The junction will be closed for the duration and the only alternative route either way is via the Esplanade, Corporation Street, Maidstone Road and Priestfields.

"I know the closure will inconvenience lots of residents but I hope you will agree that improving road safety, particularly as children return to school and we move into autumn, is of vital importance."

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