Aylesford is plunging towards traffic chaos. That’s the message coming from councillors amid a glut of development in the area.

A report commissioned by Kent County Council Highways on how to improve the A20 London Road has failed to materialise, with the authority unable to say when it will be completed.

The lack of the document, which is being prepared by Amey and began in September, means Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) is finding it difficult to hold off development.

Cllr David Lettington, for Snodland East and Ham Hill, said: “We need the report as soon as possible. Hopefully this will give us the evidence we need to resist planning applications that increase traffic at the A20 Quarry Wood junction.”

A spokesman for KCC said traffic surveys were completed last month with work due to start on mapping choke spots.

“We need the report as soon as possible. Hopefully this will give us the evidence we need to resist planning applications that increase traffic at the A20 Quarry Wood junction.” — Cllr David Lettington

At a planning meeting last Thursday an expansion at the Quarry Wood industrial estate was given the go-ahead despite the absence of Amey’s findings.

However, a controversial application to expand Kent Frozen Foods at Priory Park on the same estate was deferred pending a more comprehensive transport assessment by the applicant.

The village is plagued by rush-hour congestion and plans for Aylesford Newsprint, which includes one proposal for up to 500 homes and businesses employing 1,124 people, alongside several large developments in the area are concerning councillors.

The 100-acre site falls within Cllr Ben Walker’s Ditton ward. He said while he welcomed plans and favours the 500-home proposal, the sheer number of schemes means it is essential roads are expanded.

In addition to the paper mill and Quarry Wood a huge development in Hermitage Lane will see a McDonald’s drive-thru and Aldi supermarket built, while 95 homes are being built in Station Road.

Cllr Mike Parry-Waller, head of Tonbridge and Malling council’s area planning committee believes a new M20 junction is the solution.

He added: “My suggestion for many years is another junction between 4 and 5 which would take a lot of lorries off the motorway and straight to the industrial park.

“Increasing parking at Quarry Wood and creating another entrance to the site would also significantly reduce congestion.”

In November MP for Chatham and Aylesford Tracey Crouch warned traffic problems at Quarry Wood were threatening jobs and driving businesses away from the area.