Plans for a £125million scheme to dual the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury have been published.

The Highways Agency wants to widen the road in both directions and increase visibility on the busy stretch, which carries some 40,000 vehicles every day.

The draft plans, which are available for the public to comment on from today, include development at two of the junctions off the A21.

It is hoped construction will start in 2012. It is hoped the changes will improve access to the new Pembury Hospital and ease congestion.

Speaking in June when a timetable for the scheme was announced, Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark (Con) said: "It is almost 12 years since the Government cancelled the scheme in 1997 - but now it looks at last as if the waiting is over.

"The dualling of the A21 will provide vital access to the new Pembury Hospital, due to open in 2011, and also local people and businesses are simply fed up with wasting time in traffic jams and congestion."

A public exhibition will be held at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge on January 15 and 16.

Draft details of the scheme are also going on display at venues in Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Pembury.

Graham Link, Highways Agency project manager, said: "These improvements to the A21 south of Tonbridge are designed to provide a number of significant benefits such as freer-flowing traffic and a reduction in congestion and driver stress.

"For local traffic, we plan to improve access to the A21 from the Fairthorne and Longfield Road junctions, and provide a new route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders between Vauxhall Lane and Longfield Road.

"A footbridge over the A21 near Pembury Hospital is also in the plans."

For details on where you can see the plans, visit www.highways.gov.uk