Doubt has been cast over major road projects in Sittingbourne amid claims that the completion of the Northern Relief Road is 80th on a list of 81 priorities for the South East.

A bid for £23.1 million to go towards the £28.6 million cost of linking East Hall to the A2 at Bapchild has been submitted by Kent County Council.

This is a part of the South East Local Development Partnership strategic economic plan to boost growth.

However, at a full Swale Borough Council meeting last Wednesday Cllr Roger Truelove, of the opposition Labour group, said the proposal was second from bottom on the partnership’s own list of schemes for the region.

He said: “The reality is that there’s very, very little progress with the Northern Relief Road, and you will be aware that there is a growing problem in Sittingbourne of raising expectations.”

Cllr Truelove added that if any Swale projects did receive money, they wouldn’t start until next year or 2016.

He said he wanted to make sure, “the facts are in the public domain”, and added: “I don’t believe we are going to get the Northern Relief Road any time soon.”

Cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Mike Cosgrove (Con), accused Cllr Truelove of “sour grapes” and said he was confident the partnership would be “bearing fruit” before too long.

There are three other bids for transport projects, including one for £2.5 million to help with the estimated £4.5 million bill for transport changes as part of Sittingbourne town centre’s regeneration; and an application for £1 million towards £2 million needed for improvements to the A249 Grovehurst Road junction.

The other is for £12 million for Junction 5a – a new turn-off on the M2 between Sittingbourne and Faversham.

It is understood the Highways Agency has also applied for a grant to improve Junction 5 of the M2 at Stockbury.

Council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles (Con) said Junction 5a was high on the list of priorities, and the authority would know more after July 7, when the government was expected to announce a decision or make an indication.