The Port of Dover and the A20 are just some of the areas which will be improved by the Growth Deal.

The government announced today that £46.1 million of funding will be available for South East Local Enterprise Partnership - creating more than 5,850 local jobs, boosting the local economy, growing business and unlocking land for a further 2,500 homes.

£15 million has been allocated for Kent in the Local Growth Fund.

The improved highway connections will permit expansion of cargo-handling facility and regeneration of the waterfront at Dover will lead to 100 new homes and 500 jobs.

There will be £5 million to open up major port expansion part of the Dover Western Docks revival, as well as the junction capacity improvement works to the A20.

Speaking about the Growth Deal, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "It's a key part of our long term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain and ensure a recovery for all."

Other improvements include £3 million for a lorry park at Westenhanger to relieve pressures from Operation Stack.

Further money will be available to make rail signalling improvements at Ashford International and regenerate Folkestone seafront.

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, said: “This is a tremendous boost for Kent. The announcement that key projects in Kent will receive Government funding is very good news for our economic prospects.

“We secured the funding package announced today by working with district councils, and local and regional partners in the private sector through the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.”

Paul Carter said the Local Growth Fund investment package complements funding announced in the summer.

He said: “It adds to the £127 million allocated to Kent and Medway projects in the South East Local Enterprise Partnership ‘Growth Deal’ – which is set to support development of M20 Junction 10a, a new Thanet Parkway railway station, the A28 Chart Road and Sturry Relief Road.

“We have already created thousands of new jobs and boosted business through the first wave of Government ‘Growth Fund’ money and are well set to reap the benefits of more jobs, a stronger economy and improved infrastructure from the latest round of funding.”