FRESH doubts have emerged over the future of a major road scheme unveiled last year as the project essential to unlocking a town’s economic potential.

Two years ago, Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council agreed to make the Leeds-Langley bypass a more strategic route to encourage government funding.

It was hoped that by aligning the route to the economic regeneration of the Park Wood area of Maidstone they could overcome ministerial reluctance to pay for new roads.

The road, now rechristened the South Maidstone Strategic Route, was unveiled last year, by both KCC and Maidstone council, as the number one priority in a 10-year strategy that would also tackle congestion.

But a recent meeting of borough and county chiefs to discuss progress, has raised fears over KCC’s commitment. Those present, hoping to see completed designs, were, instead, shown a blank map on which engineers sketched a possible route from junction eight of the M20 at Hollingbourne to the Park Wood Industrial Estate, using a felt-tip pen.

It is due to be allocated for housing early next year under Maidstone’s local plan.

Engineers suggested the extended road could provide a future link to the A229/B2163 Linton crossroads.

This has been criticised in some quarters for adding unnecessary costs and putting government backing in jeapordy.

The latest estimate for the link is said to be nudging £30 to £35 million, with the suggested extension costing a further £8 to 10m. The county council has £7m of its transport budget set aside for the project. Costs for the original bypass plan two years ago stood at about £15m.

KCC, however, has denied losing faith in the scheme. In a statement, KCC cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Graham Gibbens (Con), said the route was still a priority.

He said: “Leeds-Langley bypass and Colts Hill (between Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells) remain important schemes for KCC. The government has made it clear it is unlikely capital funds will be available for such schemes in the medium term.

KCC has included both schemes in its provisional local transport plan for 2006-11 and is awaiting government response.”

Maidstone council leader, Cllr Mick Stevens (Lib Dem), added: “We are pleased to be working with KCC to develop a scheme but if we are not to face the gridlock predicted by the county council in 2011 we need to see something happening very soon.”