Breakthrough in bypass battle to bring traffic relief
A breakthrough finally appears to have been reached over proposals for a relief road in Maidstone.
MPs Helen Whately and Helen Grant claim “common ground” was found as they discussed preparing the case for the much-discussed bypass between Leeds and Langley in a meeting with the leaders of Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council.
The local authorities have historically been at loggerheads over how best to solve the County Town’s growing transport problems.
First discussed in the 1990s, the idea of a new route is to link traffic south of the County Town to junction 8 of the M20, bypassing Leeds.
KCC is leading work on a feasibility study for the proposed relief road, including a costs and benefits analysis and assessment of alternatives. Consultants have been commissioned to undertake extensive studies, which will involve traffic and environmental surveys and assessment of potential routes.
But there had been fears this wouldn’t get off the ground when Cllr Fran Wilson said more research was needed first, as without it, decision-making could be compromised.
Now, Maidstone council will also be involved in the feasibility study, providing a planning perspective at key points in the work, while a new project board composed of political representatives and officers from both the county and borough councils will be established.
The project board will review progress, guide further work and make recommendations.
The study is due to conclude in March 2019, after which there will be a public consultation.
Mrs Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, said: “Maidstone’s traffic is blighting the lives of people who live and work here. It’s putting people off living here or locating businesses in the town.
“I am delighted we brought the councils together, overcoming the historic impasse on the relief road.”
KCC leader Paul Carter said the local authority would provide regular updates as the research takes place, while MBC leader Fran Wilson said she hoped the meeting had ironed out misunderstandings over the respective roles of the two councils.