A councillor has started a petition urging highways bosses to fill a funding gap for a revamped Stockbury roundabout.

Cllr James Hunt (Con) wants people to sign up to ensure money is found for the plans.

He said: “We need government to fully fund Highways England’s proposed improvements to the M2 junction 5.

“Whilst the proposals have been drawn up for a flyover, Highways England is over £20million short of the funding required.

The only way we will see the proposals happen is to send a clear message to government that it needs to commit the extra funding and deliver the much-needed improvements.

“Residents and businesses that use the A249 know only too well the problems that exist and we must make sure something is done.

This could be a last chance to make government know how much this is wanted.”

The petition has so far reached more than 570 signatures.

If it gets to 10,000 the government will respond and at 100,000 it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

It has the support of Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson.

He said: “I have been lobbying the government for many years to improve the M2 junction 5 because of the horrendous delays and accidents, but also because it is vital for the economic development of Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

Whilst I will continue to lobby the government and Highways England to ensure the work takes place as soon as possible, it would be very helpful indeed to have the support of my constituents in my efforts.

“I’m pleased Cllr Hunt has set up a petition, designed to send a clear message to the government asking it to commit to the extra funding needed to deliver these much-needed improvements.”

Highways England is consulting on the plans for Stockbury Roundabout. The deadline for comments is Thursday, July 25.

For more, click here.

To sign the petition, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheerness

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne