MPs have been urged to support the Kent International Gateway freight depot in a motion put before Parliament.

An Early Day Motion has been tabled calling for the Government to support more road-rail interchanges, following the approval of one at Howbury Park, in South East London.

The motion, tabled by Greater Manchester MP Jim Dobbin, singles out the KIG plan, between Bearsted and Hollingbourne, as development that should be allowed to go ahead.

But Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson (Con) has amended the motion to call for recognition that the KIG site cannot be compared to Howbury Park.

His amendment says: "The Kent International Gateway site is in the middle of the M20 so will dramatically increase road movements around the M26/M20/M2 interchange around Maidstone; is situated on land of Special Scientific Interest adjoining the North Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so is opposed by all local environmental groups; has blighted the housing market across the whole of the eastern side of Maidstone and is a local planning application yet to be determined, so is a completely different set of circumstances to Horbury Park and should be abandoned forthwith."

The motion tabled by Mr Dobbin, asked Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to back additional sites for rail freight terminals.

It said: "The House... acknowledges that sites such as the Kent International Gateway are essential to build on the decision made at Howbury Park in order to alleviate the growing pressure on the M20, the M25 and London's main arterial roads in addition to the achievement of the Government's own targets to shift more freight from road on to rail."

Maidstone council has said a special meeting will be called at a large venue in the town with up to 10 objectors and up to 10 parish councils allowed to state their case for three minutes.

Kent International Gateway and their backers, Axa Real Estate Investments, and any supporters, will be allowed the same time.

>> See our Battle of Bearsted special feature for full details of the KIG plans.