Future disruption for local road users will be minimised following the closure of the A228 this month for essential gas works by Southern Gas Networks, thanks to some joined-up thinking by Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd and local authorities.

Southern Gas Networks (SGN) recently announced that the A228 will be closed for six weeks from 26 July 2010 to replace the gas main. Now, Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd has agreed with Kent Highways Services that the separate planned future works required to improve the junction of the A228 with Gibson Drive will be brought forward to minimise disruption.

As developers of Kings Hill, Liberty Property Trust UK has a planning obligation to undertake these junction improvements but, once the announcement came from SGN, took significant measures to fast track its own works on the A228.

Andrew Blevins, Managing Director of Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd, said: “The road closure required by Southern Gas Networks provides an ideal opportunity to complete our work and we are delighted that we have managed to co-ordinate it so road users are inconvenienced as little as possible. We could only achieve this joined up thinking with the help of Kent Highways, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council (TMBC) and Russet Homes, all of which have progressed the necessary approvals to ensure that these works take place in a coordinated way. We would like to thank TMBC and Russet homes, both of which have agreed to transfer or dedicate land within their ownership.”

Liberty’s improvement works to the junction include the replacement of the worn road surface and roundabout, new signage, lighting and a new footpath/cycleway from the pelican crossing on the western verge towards the junction.

The works are being undertaken at the junction of Gibson Drive and King Hill (A228) at the same time as the closure of the A228 by Southern Gas Networks (SGN) to replace the gas main. Preparatory works will commence on 19 July and Gibson Drive at the junction of the roundabout will be closed from 26 July until 31 August, to coincide with the end of the summer holidays. Peripheral works will continue on this junction for a period following the completion of the gas main replacement.

Andrew Blevins continued: “Importantly, access to businesses and residential areas off the A228, between Gibson Drive and Beaufighter Road, including Typhoon Road, Mosquito Road and Kent Street will be maintained at all times. By undertaking these essential improvement works in conjunction with SGN, the disruption to residents and businesses will be greatly reduced.”

Kings Hill is an established mixed use development and home to a range of established corporates, a 90,000 sq ft David Lloyd fitness centre, an 18-hole PGA golf course, a supermarket and a range of other retail outlets, as well as a thriving residential community with around 6,000 residents.

For more information on Kings Hill visit www.kings-hill.com.

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For further information, please contact:
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Notes to Editors:

Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd (formerly Rouse Kent Ltd) is a subsidiary of US-based Liberty Property Trust, a Real Estate Investment Trust, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LRY), headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, is a leader in commercial real estate, serving customers in the United States and the United Kingdom, through the development, acquisition, ownership and management of superior office and industrial properties. Liberty Property Trust owns and manages more than 750 properties totalling 78 million sq ft, accommodating 2,100 occupiers and has a market capitalisation of $6.5 billion.

Liberty Property Trust UK and Kent County Council have formed a collaborative public/private sector “partnership” having entered into a Development Agreement to create an exemplar mixed-use community.  Kings Hill is the County’s flagship development for attracting inward investment and promoting regional economic growth and it also seeks to deliver in all areas of existing and evolving Government policy priorities.

Liberty Property Trust UK is developing Kings Hill as a rapidly growing new community combining commercial, residential, educational, retail, community, sports and leisure uses within 800 acres of highly landscaped low density park land.  The US inspired concept aims to promote quality of life and provide a unique environment in which people can live, work, play and study.  In addition to providing accommodation for SME’s, Kings Hill also attracts significant international tenants such as Barclays, Jupiter, Rail Europe, Cabot Financial, Man Group, Genzyme Diagnostics and Kimberly-Clark.

Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd is also developing iCO Didsbury Point business park in Manchester – www.ico-office.com,  the  Cambridge Biomedical Campus adjacent Addenbrooke’s Hospital – www.cambridgebiomedicalcampus.com and Blythe Valley Park in the West Midlands – www.blythevalleypark.com.