by political editor Paul Francis

A public inquiry into long-awaited plans to widen the A21 is set to go ahead next May.

The government announced the probe into the scheme, which would involve widening the road between Tonbridge and Pembury, today.

Work could finally get underway on one of the county's busiest stretches of road in 2015.

Transport minister Stephen Hammond said: "We will shortly be restarting the statutory process for the A21 Tonbridge to Pembury dualling scheme with the intention of the public inquiry taking place in May 2013.

"Formal notice of the intention to hold an inquiry will be issued in November and details of the venue, exact date and sitting times for the Inquiry will follow in due course."

The news represents a significant step forward for a project that has been blighted by delays for many years.

Under the Highways Agency's plans, a 2.5 mile section of the A21 which carries 40,000 vehicles a day, would be upgraded from single to dual carriageway, adding a lane in each direction.

Supporters say the scheme would make journeys on the A21 safer and more reliable and bring economic benefits estimated at more than £400m. It would also improve journey times to Pembury Hospital.

Kent County Council - along with MPs Greg Clark (Tunbridge Wells) and Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks) - have led calls for the government to push ahead with the scheme and argued that a lower cost option should be considered instead of the £111m proposal set out by the Highways Agency.

Mr Clark welcomed the news. He said: "This is the announcement that we have all been waiting for - at last we have a firm date for the public inquiry on the A21 dualling to go ahead.

"I, and my colleagues, have been campaigning hard to ensure it takes place as soon as possible so that if funding does become available to start work in 2015, the project is ready to start without further delay. It's great news!"