Repairs need to be done to the plasterwork on the Grade II-listed building (Picture: SWNS)
Locals in Britain’s smallest town are fuming as the only route through the town centre will be closed for six months – so the mayor can repair his home.
The road through Fordwich, outside of Canterbury, Kent, will close between April and September for ‘essential’ work on Mayor Barney Riggs’ Grade II-listed property.
6,000 drivers per day use the town’s main road, but will soon be forced onto the already busy A28 Sturry Road.
Mayor Riggs – who has owned the ‘iconic’ Manor House for seven years – said the repair work is unavoidable, citing crumbling lime and wattle plaster which is creating a ‘significant public safety issue’.
A ‘temporary fix’ is currently in place, but restoration experts said they need to put up scaffolding to repair the building, which means the road will be shut to traffic.
This shutdown will essentially see the town split in two – leaving residents facing detours of up to seven miles on already congested routes.
Detours will force drivers to head to the centre of Canterbury (Picture: SWNS)
The narrow roads in the Britain’s smallest town will become even more crowded (Picture: SWNS)
Retired teachers Gerry and Chris Frisby, who live near the closure, said they were ‘gobsmacked’ when they learned about it.
‘To be honest, we both saw red because it’s going to cause us a real headache trying to get around. I know a lot of neighbours are absolutely fed up about it too,’ they said.
‘It’s quite absurd. It’s just going to be a nightmare to get in and out of the town. Things like going to Asda or the doctor’s surgery in Sturry will involve a huge detour through the city centre.’
Mrs Frisby said she appreciates it’s a heritage building, but a six-month road closure is ‘unacceptable’.
Janet Hurst, who lives in the High Street, says the closure will cause considerable disruption to those attending a wake for her father – who died last week – as it is due to be held at the town’s George and the Dragon pub.
Residents Gerry and Chris Frisby said they were ‘gobsmacked’ (Picture: SWNS)
Daniel and Natasha Smith own the Fordwich Arms and said the closure is ‘incredibly frustrating (Picture: SWNS)
Manor House was built in the mid-16th century and was once home to artist Alfred Palmer, who is recognised by a Blue Plaque on the property as the founder of the East Kent Arts Society.
It was bought by Mr Riggs – a policy advisor for the government – in 2018 and is now reported to be worth upwards of £1 million.
Mr Riggs, who is also the chairman of Fordwich Town Council, has written to many of the town’s 400 residents thanking them in advance of the work for their ‘understanding and co-operation’.
He told KentOnline: ‘We can’t just let the house fall down around our ears so have been working with heritage buildings experts and Kent Highways for a long time to find the best solution.
‘I know the closure will inconvenience residents, for which we apologise, but we have tried to find ways to minimise the impact.’
Metro contacted Mr Rigg for further information.
Mr Riggs says the work is being carried out in two phases – with King Street closed first and then High Street – so access can be maintained at all times to homes in The Drove, School Lane and Yew Tree Gardens.
It also means the Michelin-starred Fordwich Arms pub will not be shut off at any point, but some customers will face lengthy detours to reach the venue.
Owner and chef Dan Smith says it will prove ‘incredibly frustrating’ for the business, but said he appreciates the issue Mr Riggs is dealing with.
‘But the road closure is Kent County Council’s decision. They haven’t consulted with us about it and a six-month closure seems a bit unnecessary,’ he said.
‘It’s going to involve quite a lot of extra work in letting our diners know that they should allow a lot of extra time for their journeys to get to us, depending on which direction they are coming from. It’s just incredibly frustrating for everyone and other businesses in Fordwich.’
Kent County Council said the closure could be in place until September 30, but Mr Riggs says he hopes with fair weather the work will be completed sooner.
Metro has contacted local pubs The George and Dragon, the Frodwich Arms and local residents for comment.
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