People have until March 17 to share their views
Concerns have been raised regarding the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme due to the potential consequences for local wildlife and biodiversity.
The proposed road expansion between junction 3 of the M2 and junction 6 of the M20 aims to reduce congestion and accommodate increased traffic due to the Lower Thames Crossing and local housing development.
The Lower Thames Crossing has been marketed as a solution to ease congestion on existing routes, particularly at the Dartford Crossing. However, the A229 scheme suggests that instead of alleviating congestion, the new crossing will generate additional traffic, necessitating further road expansions.
Kent Wildlife Trust said it is now vital that the community makes its voice heard by taking part in the ongoing consultation lead by Kent County Council until March 17 .
Kent Wildlife Trust’s Planning and Policy Officer, Nicholas Trower said: “These sites are essential stepping-stones for pollinators and home to rare and protected species. The loss of these habitats, combined with increased nitrogen dioxide pollution from the expanded road network, could accelerate biodiversity decline.
The trust said Like the Lower Thames Crossing, the A229 scheme comes at a steep environmental cost. It raises concerns over the destruction of designated Roadside Nature Reserves, Blue Bell Hill Banks and Verges Local Wildlife Site, and other priority habitats, including deciduous woodland and calcareous grassland.
These habitats support a variety of nationally scarce species, such as the fly orchid, man orchid, and the Adonis blue butterfly.
Nicholas added: “Like the Lower Thames Crossing, these plans are poorly conceived, offering only a temporary fix to congestion while increasing emissions, destroying our vital green spaces, and further deteriorating air quality for local residents. We owe it to wildlife and future generations to find another way."
"The proposed mitigation measures are unclear, and we urge Kent County Council to take a more strategic, nature-positive approach.”
Earlier this year, it was revealed following a consultation on three possible options for improvements to Blue Bell Hill held in 2020, that 85 per cent of respondents agreed that changes were needed. Cllr Neil Baker, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Anyone who has driven on Blue Bell Hill knows that changes need to be made, particularly with the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.
"We are bringing this preferred proposal forward in the hope that it will see improvements to Blue Bell Hill that will make it safer and more reliable for the people of Kent.
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