Part of Lowfield Street in Dartford shut due to gas leak

Part of a major route is shut due to a gas leak.

An emergency road closure has been in place in Lowfield Street in Dartford, outside the Volkswagen garage, since yesterday (January 13).

Gas distribution company SGN is carrying out the works, which are being overseen by Kent County Council (KCC).

The road is shut southbound, near the Lowfield Street and Princes Road junction.

Yesterday, Dartford council said: “Please note there is currently no entrance to Lowfield Street towards Hawley and Sutton at Hone from Princes Road.

“Residents on Norman Road will be able to exit onto Lowfield Street in either direction.”

In an update at around midday today (January 14), Dartford councillor George Holt said: “A leak was identified on a 14-inch gas main outside the VW garage.

“Gas was escaping into the garage, meaning repairs had to be carried out immediately for safety reasons.

“I raised concerns with KCC about drivers only discovering the closure when they reach the junction, causing unnecessary congestion.

“KCC have confirmed an inspector will review the diversion route and assess whether additional advance warning signs are needed.

“Any extra signage would be standard Road Ahead Closed signs – more specific signs require specialist ordering and take longer to provide.

“KCC Streetworks will continue to monitor the site daily, and I’ll share updates as soon as there’s clearer information on progress or reopening. Thanks for your patience - I know this is frustrating.”

KCC has issued an emergency street works permit allowing the closure to be in place until the end of Monday (January 19).

An SGN spokesperson said: “We’re working on the Lowfield Street area of Dartford to fix a gas leak running beneath the road.

“To do this safely, we have closed Lowfield Street at its left and right turn junctions with Princes Road. A diversion route is in place.

“It’s too early to say how long our repairs will take, but we have been working around the clock, as quickly, and as safely as we can.

“Once we have made these repairs, we will then need to fill in the holes that we have dug and reinstate the road.

“We will need to keep our road closure in place while this happens, to give the new surface time to set.

“We’d like to thank people for their patience while we work to make these vital repairs.”