Money saved from the abandoned phase of HS2 should be redirected to kickstart another "much-needed" relief road in Kent, it has been claimed.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the £36bn clawed back from scrapping the Birmingham to Manchester rail line would see a welcome upgrade to the congested Brenley Corner junction near Faversham.

The news was greeted enthusiastically by local MP Helen Whately in whose constituency the intersection, which links the A2, M2 and Thanet Way, is located.

She said she has campaigned for changes to the junction since she became MP eight years ago.

Now campaigners for the Leeds-Langley relief road, which aims to ease congestion on routes between the A20 and A274 in Maidstone, are eyeing up £1bn the PM has earmarked for the south east.

Leeds Kent county councillor Gary Cooke (Con) said: "If the money is there for much-needed improvements at Brenley Corner, I am hoping that the government will find the relief road argument for this heavily congested part of Maidstone equally compelling.

"I have been calling for this for more years than I can remember to relieve pressure on a huge chunk of this part of the borough. A relief road is very much needed."

House building in the borough has led to a massive increase in the use of cars but critics say the roads simply cannot cope with the volumes.

In the past, Mrs Whately, the social care minister, has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Leeds-Langley relief road which is also in her constituency.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked if she will make the case for a new road in south Maidstone but she did not reply.

After Mr Sunak's announcement, she said: “I am realistic we’re not going to see Brenley Corner fixed overnight.

“This is a long-term decision about the infrastructure we need to support our economy into the future.”

Faversham Kent County Councillor Antony Hook, who is leader of the Lib Dem group at County Hall, said: "This tells me that Helen Whately is worried about losing her seat.

“And if the PM can find money for Brenley Corner, can he not find the funding for the Leeds-Langley proposal?

"As far as Brenley Corner is concerned, people will believe it when they see it."

No details were released about how the money will be spent at Brenley Corner, but action has long been called for at the junction which often grinds to a near standstill at rush hour.