ONE of the county's most dangerous roads - the killer A228 on the Hoo peninsula - will finally be improved next year after the government stumped up millions of pounds to turn it into a dual carriageway.

The road has claimed 26 lives in the past 18 years. The promise of £7.4 million from Transport Secretary Alistair Darling will see the section of road between Ropers Lane and Main Road turned into a dual carriageway.

It will also provide £1.6 million to resurface the Hoath Way dual carriageway link with the M2 at Gillingham, £1.3 million to carry out improvements in Strood Town Centre and £1.2 million for general highway maintenance.

Steve Humphrey, Medway's assistant director of highways, said the council was delighted at the announcement. He added: "It means we have got everything we wanted to improve the main lorry route across the Hoo peninsula."

The Medway Today newspaper has been campaigning to make the road safe since there were three double deaths in 2000. Editor Bob Dimond said: "This is wonderful news, but it is a pity that so many lives have been lost, and so many families have suffered tragedy before the road could be made safer."

Some of the cash will be used to improve sustainable transport in the towns.