A new draft plan for dealing with the region’s transport problems has been criticised for failing to do anything for one part of Kent.

One councillor says the document barely mentions the Isle of Sheppey at all, which he believes is a “serious mistake”.

Named Striking The Balance, it is Kent County Council’s (KCC) fifth Local Transport Plan (LTP) to be produced. It details the authority’s aspirations for Kent’s transport in the next 10 years and beyond.

The aim is to improve all types of journeys – including road, rail, bus, cycling and walking.

KCC says it will need up to £3.1 billion of additional funding from the government over the next 12 years to complete all its targets.

A consultation has also been launched, allowing the public to give feedback.

Cllr Mike Whiting (Ind), who represents the Sheppey Division at KCC, is urging people to take a look at it.

“There is little in the draft plan to improve things for the Island, which I think is a serious mistake,” he said. “In a document that runs to 88 pages Sheppey gets mentioned only twice, Sheerness just four times, Queenborough once and Leysdown twice.

“Most of these are simply place tags on maps. Good transport links can support future economic development of the Island.”

Kevin McKenna (Lab), MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, agreed with the independent councillor.

He said: “I’m disappointed but not surprised at the lack of ambition and understanding of the needs and challenges faced by everyone living here.

“Across the constituency, people struggle to find affordable and reliable public transport. The design of too many of our roads and streets are poorly thought out or even worse unfinished.

“It really stands out in this plan that Sheppey and our rural communities do not get the attention they deserve, but frankly nor do our put-upon and strangulated town centres.

“We need a fully-functioning transport system to support economic growth and town centre renewal.”

Both men say they will ensure both areas get a “better deal” from the plan.

The LTP will help inform Transport for the South East, a body that develops schemes across the region and secures government funding for them.

It also becomes a material consideration for Swale council’s new Local Plan, which is currently being drafted and will help the district gain developer contributions for its own transport projects.

One of the most recent improvements was the £92m A249 Stockbury flyover, which opened in July.

Another was the eagerly-awaited Lower Road roundabout in Minster.

It opened in 2018 and was put in place to ease gridlock along the key route.

Cllr Whiting hopes to implement several schemes that could help residents access good public transport and create safer walking and cycling routes.

“I think we should highlight the need for a return of direct rail services from Sheerness, Queenborough and Swale to London,” he explained.

“This is vital for economic development on the Island.

“There is no upfront cost to this and can be included in the next version of the Rail Franchise for Southeastern.

“We should also ask that weekend and bank holiday services to Queenborough and Sheerness are half-hourly to help promote tourism.

“I think all trains should stop at Swale station to allow visitors to access the bird reserves at Elmley and footpaths along the sea walls.

“Again, this does not require funding and can be included in any new franchise or when the government re-nationalises the railways.”

He added: “Swale station should become a park and ride for Sheppey residents travelling by car to either Sheerness, Queenborough or Sittingbourne stations.

“There is little or no parking at the other stations and by shifting cars to Swale station we could remove traffic from our congested town centres.

“There is land adjacent to the station under the new Sheppey Crossing with good road links and if included in the LTP, could be funded over the next five to 10 years by developer contributions.

“I think we should all be lobbying for a plan that gets more freight off our roads and onto our railways.

“Sheppey has two rail heads – one in Sheerness Port the other in Queenborough – and similar ones at Ridham.

“All still exist but have fallen out of use.

“Unless KCC includes this aspiration in its Transport Plan then I do not believe it will happen.”

Comments can be submitted by clicking here and it will close on Tuesday, October 8.

A consultation event will also be held at Sheppey Gateway on Tuesday, September 10, from 10am to 2pm.