We live in UK’s smallest town where our only road is shut for 6 MONTHS because ‘selfish’ mayor needs £1m house repairs

FUMING locals have lashed out at their town's mayor for organizing repairs at his £1million home.

The renovation means that the area's only road will be shut for almost six months.

The popular route through Fordwich, just outside Canterbury, Kent will be impassable from April and September for “essential” work to begin on the property.

Seething residents have slammed the decision as “absurd”, arguing that they will be forced to seek out alternative routes to work, supermarkets and other facilities.

But the Mayor of Fordwich, Barney Riggs – who has owned the “iconic” Manor House for seven years – says the repair work is unavoidable.

He argued that the gaff's crumbling frontage panels is falling on the street below, triggering a “significant public safety issue”.

Couple Gerry and Chris Frisby live on the the street which is set to be closed and slammed the decision.

“Six months! We couldn't believe it,” Mr Frisby fumed.

“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.”

“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.

“I appreciate it's a heritage building and the work needs doing, but a six-month road closure is just unacceptable”.

Fellow resident Janet Hurst doubled down on the move – adding that the renovation works will likely disrupt those attending a wake for her father – who died last week.

“There's no doubt it will also be very inconvenient for trips to places like Asda and M&S in Sturry Road too,” she said.

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 – for £865,000 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.

“The decision to close the road was taken out of our hands by Kent County Council (KCC) after all other options were looked at.

“One of the main issues would be the need to create a temporary new 1.5-metre wide footpath if the road was kept open, with traffic lights and single-file traffic.

“But it was felt that just wasn't practical as it's very narrow and the traffic would become too backed up.

“I know the closure will inconvenience residents, for which we apologise, but we have tried to find ways to minimise the impact.

“Some people actually welcome the idea of less traffic in Fordwich, which has been an issue for years, especially when most of it is drivers using the town as a rat-run.”

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.

“We have a good relationship and communication with [Mr] Riggs and appreciate the issue he is dealing with,” he said.

“But the road closure is KCC's decision. They haven't consulted with us about it and a six-month closure seems a bit unnecessary.

“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.”

Flying Eze Online has reached out to Barney Riggs for comment.