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A new draft plan for dealing with the region’s transport woes has been drawn up by Kent County Council.
Named Striking The Balance, it is the fifth plan to be produced by the authority, which admits there were a number of objectives in the last plan - named Delivering Growth without Gridlock - that have yet to be delivered.
Some of those, including a Sturry Link Road in Canterbury, improvements to the A2-A249 Key Street junction in Swale, and the A20 London Road junction with Mills Road and Hall Road in Aylesford, are being carried over into the new plan.
But the authority claims much has been achieved since the last plan was published in 2017.
It points to the M2 Junction 5 improvements (still under construction); A20 junction improvements between the A228 and M20 junctions; the Dartford town centre urban realm improvements; Bearsted Road improvements in Maidstone (still under construction); and the Grovehurst Road and interchange junction with the A249 (under construction), among others.
The county says the new strategy “sets out a clear plan for transport in Kent which is ambitious but achievable”.
The aim is to improve all types of journeys: road, rail, bus, cycling and walking. But not flying. The plan says KCC will oppose the expansion of Gatwick Airport’s new runway.
There is, however, support for the Lower Thames Crossing and cyclists are remembered with 15 new cycling corridors.
Specific highways proposals are also set out for each of Kent’s major towns.
The plan can be viewed here.
The county says it will need up to £3.1 billion of additional funding from the government over the next 12 years to complete all its aims.
The council has launched a public consultation on the plan. Views can be left here.
Cllr Neil Baker, KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport said: “Whether you drive, catch a bus, take the train, cycle, wheel or walk, our new Local Transport Plan has proposals that will affect you and aim to improve the journeys you make every day.
“I encourage you to read our ambitious strategy and let us know what you think so we can make sure our final Local Transport Plan works for you and the county.”