Major plans have been revealed for a new link road with cycling and walking routes in Thanet.

As a public consultation opens today, we look at exactly what is being brought to the table and answer some questions readers may have.

What is being proposed?

A new highway link for north Thanet with walking and cycling infrastructure.

If plans go ahead, there will be around six miles worth of works to be completed off the A28 Canterbury Road.

It will also affect roads near Manston Airport and up towards Margate.

The major overhaul would see existing roads widened with improved highways linking them up, alongside cycle paths, walkways and crossings.

A closer look at the proposals reveal a slew of changes could take place, including:

– A new route between A28 Canterbury Road and Manston Road.

– A new route between Manston Road (near the junction with Shottendane Road) and Columbus Avenue. It would include the removal of access for motorised vehicles at the existing junction of Margate Hill and Manston Road.

– Widening of the existing Manston Road and Shottendane Road along the existing highway alignment, with junction improvements.

– A new route parallel to the eastern section of Shottendane Road between High Street in Garlinge and Twenties Cottages on Shottendane Road.

– A new route between Hartsdown Road, Shottendane Road and Manston Road in Margate.

What is the main objective?

The purpose of the scheme is to “ensure that the local highway network can accommodate the changing traffic demands that come with increased population and other growth,” according to official papers.

The works are expected to provide direct relief from the A28, while easing congestion and improving road safety, Kent Highways says.

It is also hoped the works will improve air and noise quality, with traffic re-routed from sensitive areas such as Birchington Square.

KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier said the works were designed to “manage traffic pressure on the busy A28, reduce traffic within Acol village, improve journey times, road safety and provide better facilities for walking and cycling.”

How will it affect traffic?

The A28 Canterbury Road sees a heavy volume of traffic between Birchington and Westgate-on-Sea, with 15,000 journeys made each day, according to council papers.

And the figure is likely to soar by around three thousand in the next 20 years, as the county’s population swells.

It is believed the project could help slash 2,500 journeys per day as more traffic would flow through the Shottendane Road corridor.

Further, the council papers claim the small village of Acol could see an influx of 7,000 vehicles per day if improvements don’t go ahead.

Why not simply improve the A28?

There are a number of physical restrictions preventing any great work on improving or enlarging the A28, KCC maintains.

“Due to the historic layout and space constraints, particularly through Birchington Square, there is limited opportunity to improve road capacity along the existing A28.

“Therefore, an alternative highway route has been identified to improve journey time reliability, network resilience and road safety,” a spokesman said.

How much will it cost?

The total bill is currently expected to hit £60 million but could be more.

How is it going to be funded?

The eternal question – where is the money coming from?

The first point to make is it will not come from KCC’s expenditure – so not directly from local taxpayer’s pockets. Instead, the funding will come from two possible places:

KCC is in the process of bidding to the Department for Transport (DfT) for funding for the project. If successful, 80-85% of the cash will come from a grant, with the other 15-20% coming from local developer contributions.

If not, then the money will have to come solely from a combination of developer contributions and new highway infrastructure within upcoming development sites in the area.

How long will it take?

This very much depends on where the funding comes from.

If a grant from the DfT is achieved, then KCC has pledged the work will be completed in a single phase, across a two year period.

However, if it is forced to rely on upcoming development sites to produce some of the infrastructure, then there is no set time frame.

“In this scenario, it is likely that the delivery of the new highway infrastructure will take place over a longer period and will be dictated by the pace at which strategic development sites are delivered,” consultation papers say.

What happens now?

The scheme opened up to public consultation today (May 11) and runs until June 14, and you can have your say at kent.gov.uk/norththanetlink

Two public drop-in events have been planned by the team behind the proposals. They will take place at Westgate-on-Sea Town Council between 3pm and 7pm on May 15 and The Centre in Birchington between 3pm and 7pm on June 1.

For queries or requests for hard copies, email norththanetlink@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 422331.

And for alternative formats, email alertnativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 421553 (text relay service number 18001 03000 421553).

Have any more questions? Email ajee@thekmgroup.co.uk