Latest news with #Hawkhurst
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hawkhurst shops lose business as roadworks overrun, traders say
Shopkeepers in a Kent village have said they are experiencing a huge drop in customers due to a long running series of trader along The Colonnade on Rye Road in Hawkhurst reported a fall in trade of "nearly 40%" since resurfacing work at the nearby crossroads began on 31 junction improvement works are being carried out by developer Dandara as part of a planning permission condition to build 71 homes off Highgate Hill, which is one of the four crossroads told BBC Radio Kent it "fully sympathised with the "inconvenience experienced" and remained "committed to completing the works as swiftly and safely as possible". Andy Clarke from Park Farm Butchers said he had been forced to reduce staff working hours and "take on other work such as providing hog roasts to make up the shortfall in sales".Another Hawkhurst business which has had a fall in customers since the roadworks began is The Rye Kite works there and has "seen a 14.9% reduction in takings from the end of March after previously seeing a 3% increase".Ms Kite said: "I hope business returns once all this is over. "We used to have people parking up outside and nipping in to get their breakfast or lunch. "I hope they get back into that habit again."Dandara is under no statutory obligation to pay businesses compensation for loss of trade or additional costs incurred during the works. Meanwhile, Ellen Neville, who represents the village on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said there could have been more dialogue on the safety issues arising from the road described "traffic jams" with "cars jumping the lights" on a "dangerous" pedestrian crossing."The people carrying out the work have been lovely," she added, "however, it has been difficult to talk to Dandara about traffic congestion, the impact on local businesses and when it will all be over." Dandara wrote to residents in January to inform them work at Hawkhurst crossroads would run from 31 March until the last days of May, with a further five days set aside for traffic signals to be in a recent correspondence with BBC Radio Kent, Dandara explained: "The crossroads are due to reopen on 20 June, after which the final stage will involve the installation of traffic signals. "This will take approximately four weeks and will be managed under four-way temporary lights." Mr Clarke said this did not surprise him."Their initial plan didn't take into account any business deliveries, ambulances at the doctors surgery or waste collection for central Hawkhurst. "We've been muddling through for weeks now."In a statement, Dandara said: "We sincerely apologise for any disruption caused by these essential highway works. "We understand the challenges local businesses have faced and have worked closely with the local authority to minimise disruption wherever possible. "This has included maintaining full pedestrian access at all times, coordinating refuse collections and providing dedicated delivery spaces for nearby businesses."While there is no formal compensation scheme, we want to reiterate that we fully sympathise with the inconvenience experienced and remain committed to completing the works as swiftly and safely as possible."The roadworks are being carried out to provide access to The Russetts, a sustainable development being built by Dandara of 71 new homes, including 28 homes designated for social development will also provide about £641,000 in contributions to the local area, supporting community services and infrastructure.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hawkhurst mum's design to go on show at Gardeners' World Live
A mum-of-two from Kent who retrained in horticulture after suffering postnatal anxiety twice in five years is to have one of her designs shown at a national gardening show next Eastwood, from Hawkhurst, is now a student gardener at Hole Park in Rolvenden after leaving the civil service where she worked as a spending last year as an apprentice where she was mentored by Hole Park's head gardener Quentin Stark, Ms Eastwood started bringing her own designs to she has two designs going on show to the public this summer, including The Newborn Garden which will be on display at Gardeners' World Live in Birmingham. Ms Eastwood said she reached a career crossroads after giving birth to her second said: "I couldn't face having quite a demanding London-based job with two children whilst living outside of London, and I also needed for my own mental health to do something that was outside, something creative, something with nature."The mum-of-two first signed up for a garden design mini-course at Hole Park, after which she was introduced to a work and retrain scheme by assistant head gardener Joe Eastwood handed in her notice after securing a student apprentice role at the Rolvenden grounds. The Newborn Garden design is intended to be a "welcoming and peaceful space for anyone looking after a newborn baby".Ms Eastwood said: "I know it can often be stressful and lonely looking after a newborn baby, so I wanted to create a place where people can sit privately but also connect with others in the space if they want to."Her second design, The Millennium Garden, went on display last said: "I wanted the design to compliment the Terracotta garden on the other side of the house, which is all hot reds and oranges, and create a lovely west-facing evening view."I couldn't believe it when they said that they loved my design and wanted to go ahead with it."Gardeners' World Live will take place from 12-15 June.
