CAMPAIGNERS for a Newington bypass claim Swale Borough Council is ruining their chances of success.

MP Derek Wyatt believes there could be spare money in the Thames Gateway Trust project to pay for a bypass if the Government can be convinced.

And Newington resident Bill Croydon has called a meeting on Friday, September 26, so council and Government representatives can hear about the problems at first hand.

But Swale Borough Council has declined the invitation because the authority does not make highway decisions.

Now residents are threatening to call off the meeting because they believe they need Swale Borough Council's support to influence the Government.

Mr Croydon said: "We need Swale Borough Council to include the bypass in its Local Plan which is why it is essential to have them on our side. I think this has become a political football which is a shame because we wanted to go beyond vehicle counting and show the debilitating effect on a community of having a stream of traffic through the village."

A spokesman for Swale Borough Council said residents have already made their case to the Local Plan panel and the panel would be making its decision.

Representatives from Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council said they have no money for a bypass for several years to come.

Mr Wyatt said: "I know the councils say there is no money but that's what was said about Rushenden and now they are getting their bypass. There could be spare money from Thames Gateway Trust. We have got to make our case."