The future of the Chart Road dual carriageway project in Ashford is hanging in the balance with construction unlikely to begin this year.

Scores of trees along the A28 between the Tank roundabout and Matalan have already been felled to make way for the scheme, which is being funded from contributions by housing developers building Chilmington Green.

But Kent County Council is yet to receive a security bond payment from the developers, meaning authority bosses have been forced to postpone construction of the £26m road.

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Cllr Bernard Heyes (Con), who represents the Godinton ward, told a meeting of Ashford’s joint transportation board last Tuesday how the news is “depressing”.

“It is somewhat regrettable and very disappointing,” he said.

“These are major works in Ashford and it doesn’t look too good.

“I am very disappointed but, who knows, something might happen in the near future that might resurrect it - let’s just hope something happens and keep our fingers crossed.”

Contractors began preparation work on the stretch in February, cutting mature trees down before the start of the bird nesting season.

Full construction was expected to start this month before being completed by autumn 2019.

But the lack of a security bond has stopped building work from starting, throwing the future of the dual carriageway into doubt.

The scheme is being funded from developer contributions so the town can cope with more cars travelling from the 5,750-home Chilmington Green housing project.

The Tank and Matalan roundabouts were both set to be improved and the railway bridge by the former Chart Leacon rail depot was also due to be widened.

Cllr Peter Feacey (Con), who also represents the Godinton ward and lives in Viburnum Close, said: “Residents feel that surely something should have been sorted out before any work was undertaken.

“We have lost so many trees and now it doesn’t look like they will do the work until next year.

“I am disappointed.”

VIDEO: Chart Road dual carriageway project hangs in balance

KentOnline's sister title the Kentish Express contacted Hodson Developments, one of the key companies behind Chilmington Green, but the house builder refused to comment.

Last month, Hodson gained planning permission from Ashford Borough Council for the first 346 homes at Chilmington, and construction is expected to begin before the end of the month.

"There are risks that the project may not start in 2018..." - Roger Wilkin

In the agenda prepared for last Tuesday night's joint transportation board meeting, KCC's director of highways and transportation, Roger Wilkin, said "high-level" discussions are being held with the developers.

He wrote: "The agreed funding arrangement with the Chilmington developer is that KCC forward fund their contribution to the project, which is paid back over a 10-year period.

"To safeguard KCC of any risk of non-payment and to recover interest charges, the agreement included a provision for the developer to provide a security bond prior to awarding the construction contract.

"To date this bond has not been provided by the developer and KCC is unable to award the construction phase of the project and consequently cannot commence this work.

"The remainder of the trees will be cleared either in the autumn, subject to the security bond, or at such time when a bond is provided.

"Except for the vegetation clearance, KCC is unable to progress the project including any public engagement until the Chilmington developer provides the security bond, but there are risks that the project may not start in 2018 as previously advised."