[Location: Canterbury] ‘It’ll be catastrophic’: Anger as vital roads in Kent village to shut for three weeks
Kent Online 2026-10-05 04:00:00
Context: Frustrated traders in Preston, a village near Canterbury, Kent, are expressing concerns that the upcoming three-week closure of vital roads will be "catastrophic" for their businesses, which have already struggled with repeated disruptions over the past four years. The road closures, scheduled from November 9 to November 30, are necessary for internet provider Trooli to carry out infrastructure work. Local business owners fear that the closures will severely impact footfall and deliveries, potentially threatening their long-term survival.
Key Facts
- Roads in and around Preston, including Gore Street, The Street, and Preston Road, will be closed from November 9 to November 30 for Trooli's infrastructure work.
- Local businesses have seen a direct link between road closures and declining income, with Preston Village Stores' sales averaging £1,000 a week lower than two years ago.
- The closures will operate on a rolling basis, with sections of road restricted successively rather than all at once.
- Preston Butchers owner Mark Williams has run the shop for 20 years and fears further restrictions could be the last straw for the village's businesses, saying "it's absolutely ridiculous; it's not going to be long before one of us goes".