Last updated: August 2026
Short answer
What the works were for
Kent County Council said the repairs were essential to replace collapsed gullies and damaged pipework that had caused repeated flooding on that stretch. A council spokesperson apologised for the disruption and confirmed the programme had been shortened: "While the project was originally set to take two weeks, we have scaled back the works to minimise disruption and are now on track to complete them this week."
Where the queues formed
- Traffic backed up past the "tank" roundabout and along Templer Way opposite Waitrose.
- Tailbacks built at the Chart Road junction with Repton Manor Road, affecting drivers leaving the McDonald's in Carlton Road.
- Queues of around 30 minutes were reported inbound from Great Chart Bypass towards the Matalan roundabout.
- Brookfield Road was also affected, with cars struggling to turn right at the three-way junction from Leacon Road.
Why this matters for Chilmington Green
The section between the Matalan and "tank" roundabouts is the very stretch earmarked for dualling as part of the Chilmington Green scheme. A week of single-lane working was enough to gridlock the corridor, which is the practical argument residents have made for years: as thousands more homes are occupied, the existing layout has very little room to absorb incidents, roadworks or growth.
That £30m dualling obligation is a Section 106 commitment. In January 2026 a planning inspector dismissed Hodson's bid to be released from it, and the developer subsequently entered administration - leaving the scheme's funding and timetable unresolved. Our A28 Chart Road guide tracks where it stands.
Practical advice for residents
For any future works on this corridor, the Great Chart Bypass and Kingsnorth routes are the usual alternatives, though both load quickly at peak times. Check Kent County Council's roadworks map before travelling and allow extra time for the school run - especially now the Stagecoach 501 school bus shares these roads from 30 August 2026.
Sources
- KentOnline - Temporary traffic lights spark gridlock on A28 Chart Road as drainage works begin (30 June 2026)
- Kent County Council - roadworks and road closures
Frequently asked questions
Why were there traffic lights on the A28 Chart Road?
Kent County Council installed two-way temporary traffic lights between Brunswick Road and the Matalan roundabout so engineers could replace collapsed gullies and damaged pipework that had caused repeated flooding.
How bad were the delays?
Traffic backed up past the 'tank' roundabout and along Templer Way opposite Waitrose, with queues of up to 30 minutes reported coming from Great Chart Bypass towards the Matalan roundabout.
How long did the works last?
The works began on Monday 29 June 2026. Kent County Council said the scheme had originally been planned to take two weeks but was scaled back to finish within that week.
Is this the same as the A28 dualling scheme?
No. These were emergency-style drainage repairs. The separate £30m dualling of Chart Road between the Matalan and 'tank' roundabouts is a Section 106 obligation tied to Chilmington Green and remains in doubt after the developer's administration.