Fourth lane is added to road improvement plan
No consultation on amendment described as ‘overkill’
Controversial plans for four lanes on a “horribly” congested roundabout in Maidstone have been described as “overkill”. Kent County Council’s (KCC) transport committee met last Thursday to review a £14 million improvement scheme at the A249 Bearsted Road. Officers said an additional lane would be added to the original project, based near Junction 7 of the M20. The new plans were not consulted on with the public. KCC Liberal Democrats have voiced their strong opposition to the proposed redesign, saying that residents should have been made aware well in advance. Maidstone county councillor Ian Chittenden (Lib Dem) said he was “not very happy” with the situation.
Describing the roundabout as “horribly congested”, he added: “I want the scheme to go ahead, but there are still many problems.”
The A249 project would increase capacity for vehi
cles, with traffic lights at the Bearsted Road roundabout and an enlarged New Cut Road roundabout.
A shared footway and cycleway has been put forward. Smart technology would also be introduced to reduce congestion.
Dual carriageways may be
widened to four lanes, rather than three, subject to planning approval.
KCC officers said “no material changes” had been made to the original design.
They said four lanes would make the scheme better for residents.
Malling Rural East county councillor Sarah Hudson (Con), who regularly uses the A249 Bearsted roundabout, described the revamped project as “overkill”.
She said: “I feel the three-lane scheme has been fully consulted and seems to be fairer, rather than overkill to create more roads for the future.”