The government has announced it will be handing over millions of pounds to help Gravesham and Dartford flourish.

The cash comes as part of a £442.2 million funding package to boost economic growth across the county.

There are four main schemes that have been promised a share of the cash:

• The Highways Agency will include the A2 Bean junction and the A2 Ebbsfleet junction for investment to deal with increased traffic.

• The government commits to provide extra funding of up to £75m on the preferred option for the Lower Thames Crossing.

• Rathmore Road, Gravesend changes to create new road system in Gravesend and “unlock 890 houses and 700 jobs”.

• Reduce congestion on the roads in the wake of the Ebbsfleet Garden City announcement.

The cash has been given to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) to boost economic growth across Kent, Medway, East Sussex and Essex.

The Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP) was set up in 2013 to act as a ‘building block’ of the SELEP.

Kent vice chair of SELEP and chairman of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership Geoff Miles said: “Today’s funding announcement heralds intensive investment in transport improvements for the south east.

“In addition to major transport investment in Kent and Medway, the government has also confirmed funding for a Kent and Medway Growth Hub, which will provide innovative support services to help local businesses to expand and prosper.

“This is only the beginning of our ambitions: through SE LEP and the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership we have bold further plans for economic growth in Kent & Medway and will be seeking further funding to make them a reality.”