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Tuesday December 24 | 2019
Merry Christmas to one and all
RELEASE CLAUS: Around 300 people took part in the annual Ho Ho Hospice Rumble at Somerhill, a 5km family fun run to raise funds for the Hospice in the Weald. Every runner was provided with a Santa Claus or Elf outfit to wear, and more than £10,000 was raised to support the local charity.
Town centre faces traffic misery when A21 is closed for four days THE town is bracing itself for a week of gridlock when the A21 is closed for four days early in the new year. The dual carriageway will be shut between the two Tonbridge exits from 8pm on Wednesday January 8 to 6am on Monday January 13. Highways England has taken the measure to carry out maintenance work on the Medway Viaduct above Haysden and the Manor Farm subway near Leigh. All traffic in both directions will be diverted through the town and the
industrial estate, which is set to cause long delays. The move has caused consternation
‘We are concerned about the impact on our local businesses and residents’ Jenny Lewis, Tonbridge Town Team because of its timing, coming just after the schools have gone back and at a time when retailers hope to attract
customers to the sales. Southbound traffic will be diverted at the Sevenoaks Weald exit and sent along the B245 through Hildenborough on to the A227. Vehicles will then be signposted to turn left at the top of the High Street on to Bordyke and Hadlow Road, then take a right on to Cannon Lane. They will follow the A26 though the industrial estate to where it turns off at Vale Road, and rejoin the bypass at the Vauxhall roundabout.
Northbound travellers will follow the same route in reverse. It is also feared that drivers will use the High Street instead, adding to the existing congestion. There will also be selective overnight lane closures from January 2, which will be reopened at 6am. The works are due to be completed by February 3. The newly re-elected MP for Tonbridge & Malling, Tom Tugendhat, said: “Highways England’s decision to close
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