Aylesford Parish Council

28/08/2026

21/08/2026

We were recently contacted by a couple of residents asking whether the brambles and overgrowth along the river edge could be cut back so that the Old Bridge could once again be seen from Old Bridge Gardens.

We listened to your feedback, and this morning the brambles were cut back and down. I'm sure you will agree that it has made a significant difference and the view of the Old Bridge can now be enjoyed once again!

We hope you like the improvement. 🌿

06/08/2026

MESSAGE FROM NU-VENTURE

I am very grateful for the help given in recent weeks to publicise the temporary change to the 'daytime shoppers bus 29' during the programme of planned roadworks in Summer 2026.

Very considerable effort on our part went into planning and re-planning the bus service as we received information about the summer's planned utilities works and road closures in the area, which - until a late stage of our planning - originally included a lengthy closure at Pilgrims Way which was postponed at a late date (and if implemented would have even more seriously limited our options for re-routing the service during the Bull Lane works). We’ve also had to contend with bus diversions associated with the summer-long road closure at Borstal, as have all local residents.

The bus industry is regulated by the Traffic Commissioner and bus operators are required to register the full details of bus routes, times and - in the case of planned roadworks of more than two weeks duration - diversions and dates. There is a notice period between registration and implementation; the background is that the registration information powers the various electronic information sources which are used to provide bus information to users.

We duly registered the times and dates of the temporary 29A and 29B services related to what was planned for now-aborted Bull Lane closure and as a result we will maintain the temporary routes and times until the announced last day of the operation, ie 28 August, with the 29 service returning to its old route and times from 1 September until a repeat of the Bull Lane closure expected in February 2027, when temporary services 29A/29B are expected to reappear.

Also from 1 September, school-time Bus 529, operated on a wholly-commercial basis by Nu-Venture, undergoes a very significant change in the afternoon. Numbers in the ‘East Bank’ villages using the afternoon through service from Maidstone are insufficient to ensure the continuing viability of the service so its route in Maidstone is being altered in an attempt to increase the overall numbers using the service. It will now commence from Huntsman Lane (Maidstone) at 1536, operating via King Street (1542) and High Street, Maidstone, then London Road (for MGGS/Maplesden Noakes) at 1551, Queens Rd (for Simon Stock and other Oakwood Park schools) at 1554 then via Barming, London Road and Station Road (Aylesford Station 1625) before resuming its current route at Aylesford Village (1633) then as now to Eccles (1637), Burham, Wouldham and Peters Village.

Please get in touch if you required further information.

Kind regards

Norman Kemp
Director and Company Secretary

Nu-Venture Coaches Ltd
Unit 2f Deacon Trading Estate, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7SP

Nu-Venture, locally-owned and managed, provides local bus services in Kent & Medway.

Call us on 01622 882288
Check Nu-Venture bus times at Our Bus Services | nu-venture.online

23/07/2026

🚗🏍️ Supercars & Superbikes Coming to Ferryfield! 🏍️🚗

Residents are invited to come along and see an incredible display of 50+ supercars, classic cars, Harley-Davidsons and superbikes at Ferryfield on Saturday 25th July, between 10:00am and 11:00am.

The vehicles are taking part in a charity event organised by The Mason Foundation, which is supporting the Maidstone River Festival. Ferryfield will be the meeting point before the convoy heads into Maidstone.

Escorted by motorbike outriders from The Rascals, the convoy will make its way into Maidstone for a special parade around the one-way system, travelling along the river, past the River Festival and finishing outside County Hall.

Among the vehicles expected are Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, a selection of classic cars, Harley-Davidsons and an impressive range of superbikes.

If you're a fan of amazing vehicles, why not pop down to Ferryfield and take a look before they set off? We wish everyone involved a fantastic day and hope the event raises plenty of money for charity! 🚘

20/07/2026

Kent County Council - Temporary Road Closure - A229 Bluebell Hill Slip South On, Bluebell Hill - 22nd August 2026

Due to works planned to be undertaken by Kent County Council, it will be necessary to close part of A229 Bluebell Hill Slip South On, Bluebell Hill, from 22nd August 2026 with estimated completion by 23rd August 2026.
A229 Bluebell Hill Slip South On, will be closed in its entirety, in 2 phases between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00 only. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site as detailed below:

Phase 1 - Start date 22nd August 2026, with estimated completion by 23rd August 2026, between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00 only.

Phase 2 - Start date 29th August 2026, with estimated completion by 31st August 2026, between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00 only.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via A229 Lord Lees Roundabout, A229 Blue Bell Hill Northbound, A229 Maidstone Road Northbound, A229 Tiger Moth Roundabout, A229 Maidstone Road Southbound, A229 Bluebell Hill Southbound.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce to allow highway repair and maintenance works to be carried out, works are undertaken by Kent County Council.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=GB150616152

For information regarding this closure please contact Kent County Council, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

20/07/2026

KCC - Temporary Road Closure - Old Chatham Road, Aylesford - 17th August 2026

Due to works planned to be undertaken by UK Power Networks, it will be necessary to close part of Old Chatham Road, Aylesford, from 17th August 2026 with estimated completion by 17th August 2026.
Old Chatham Road, Aylesford, will be closed in its entirety. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Old Chatham Road, Chatham Road and vice versa. Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce to allow tree cutting works to be carried out, works are undertaken by UK Power Networks.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=GB150704948

For information regarding this closure please contact UK Power Networks on 08000 294 285, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

20/07/2026

Works - Southern Water - Tuesday 28 July 2026 for one day to upgrade the flow monitoring equipment which will help protect the environment.

There will be a lane closure on Hall Road along with temporary traffic lights.

Any queries please contact Southern Water on 0330 3030 368 and quote PRN 870167 or email Georgia Wright on [email protected]

17/07/2026

SGN Gas Networks Upgrades - London Road Aylesford to begin on 20th July and is expected to finish on the 7th August.

The engineers will be replacing ageing gas pipes along London Road between the junctions of Teapot Lane and Woodlands Road. To carry out this work safely, they will need to close Teapot Lane and Woodlands Road where they join London Road. These closures are essential to protect both the teams and the public while work is underway.

On London Road, they will be using two way temporary traffic lights around the work site. They recognise that this is a busy route, so the teams will be working extended hours, and a dedicated traffic management operative will be on site between 7am and 7pm to actively monitor and adjust the lights to help maintain traffic flow.

A pedestrian crossing phase will also be included in the temporary lights. This is required for safety but can add to delays, so they are advising drivers to allow extra time for important journeys while the works are in progress.

They appreciate this is a well used stretch of road and they have planned this for the school holiday period to try to minimise disruption while completing this essential upgrade.

17/07/2026

News Release from TMBC

17/07/2026

Communication received from SGN

Dear Stakeholder

I’m writing with an update on the information I sent out on 2 July about our work to upgrade the gas network along Bull Lane. Due to ongoing concerns about HGV access to Eccles, we’ve made the decision to postpone part of our work until a resolution can be found.

We’ll still be working along Bull Lane with a rolling road closure between Wednesday 22 July and Sunday 30 August. However, the planned road closures on Rochester Road and Pilgrims way will not be going ahead at this time. We’ll get in touch with the revised plan once that has been agreed.

We’d be grateful for your support in sharing this update with your wider network of contacts.