Kent County Council (KCC) has today launched its second public consultation on proposals to improve one of the county’s worst roads for congestion and road safety, the A229 Blue Bell Hill.
With future housing developments in the area, and the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, traffic issues are expected to worsen which need to be addressed. The consultation is an opportunity for members of the public to give their views on KCC’s preferred scheme, which aims to improve journey time reliability, reduce delays and improve road safety across this popular section of the road network.
In 2020, KCC consulted on three possible options for improvements to Blue Bell Hill. More than 85% of respondents agreed that improvements were required and the feedback received has been used to develop the preferred scheme.
The scheme involves a range of improvements, including:
- free-flowing connections between the A229 and M2
- a realigned connection between Bridgewood and Lord Lees Roundabouts
- widening of the A229 to three lanes in the Maidstone bound direction, between the Lord Lees and Cobtree Roundabouts
- Running Horse Roundabout increased in size
- improved entry and exit arrangements to the petrol station located off the A229 Maidstone bound carriageway.
The scheme is expected to cost £250 million. KCC is seeking to secure at least 85% of the scheme costs from DfT’s Large Local Majors funding programme. An announcement on funding is expected later this year.
If funding and planning permission are secured, construction of the scheme is expected to start in 2029 and would be completed by 2031, before the Lower Thames Crossing opens to traffic.
Pic: Kent County Council
