News A20 works almost complete

Works to improve one of the main entry routes into Maidstone along the A20 at Bearsted are now almost complete.

Taking advantage of the quieter roads, Maidstone Borough Council Grounds Maintenance Teams and a local chainsaw sculptor have been hard at work in the last few weeks.

A new wooden bus shelter, new flowerbeds with pretty spring flowers have already been installed for the ongoing works, which will enhance the junction of New Cut Road and the A20.

A new ‘Welcome to Maidstone’ sign has been installed along with improved road markings and two beautiful tree carvings are now finished.

Maidstone Borough Council commissioned Peter Leadbeater, a local chainsaw sculptor, to create two different pieces of artwork on the grass verge at the junction of the A20 and New Cut Road. This began in early March.

This work was stopped as the country went into lockdown, however it needed to be finished to preserve the stunning sculptures.

John Edwards, Street Scene Operations Manager at Maidstone Borough Council said:

“The tree sculptures and signage are all part of a series of works to improve the A20, a key area for people travelling in and out of the town centre.

“These will be some of the first things visitors who come into Maidstone from that direction will see, so we wanted them to be original and eye catching, first impressions of a town centre are so important.

“There are also plans for of an Iguanodon Sculpture, bicycle silhouettes, a bug hotel as well as a cast-iron Mote Park entrance archway.

“These improvements will help to promote the huge importance Maidstone’s farming heritage plays in the borough as well as illustrating how we are supporting biodiversity through the Council’s Go Green Go Wild scheme.”

For more information on the Maidstone Borough Council Go Green Go Wild scheme please visit the website: https://gogreengowild.com/home

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