Campaigners fighting a huge road-rail depot are facing another six month delay.

Continuing concerns about the traffic impact of KIG - the 264-acre depot planned near Bearsted - have forced the Highways Agency to ask for more time.

The latest hold up means it is likely that no decision will be made on whether KIG can go ahead until 2009.

The plan for a road-rail depot on 264 acres between Thurnham Lane, in Bearsted and Junction 8 of the M20 at Hollingbourne was revealed 15 months ago.

It was due to be debated by Maidstone council's planning committee in February but the Highways Agency stepped in.

It wanted more information about how it would affect Kent's roads, and stalled the plan until July 14. That delay has now been extended until December 12.

Even if the go-ahead is given on that date, the council will have to launch a fresh public consultation on any new information revealed about the plan, before it can finally go before its planning committee.

• Don't miss this Friday's Kent Messenger for a four-page KIG special feature, looking at the story so far, how the credit crunch will affect the plan, why the delay has dismayed villagers, and why KIG may lead to a boom in prostitution.