The large project would cost £250 million
New details on plans to totally revamp the A229 Blue Bell Hill have been revealed and members of the public are urged to have their say. On Tuesday, January 21 Kent County Council (KCC) launched its second public consultation on the proposals to transform the vital route between Medwayand Maidstone.
Deemed one of the county’s “worst roads for congestion and road safety,” the council has outlined numerous major changes it hopes to complete by 2031 before the Lower Thames Crossing opens. In all, the project would cost approximately £250 million, 85 per cent of which KCC aims to secure from the Department for Transport’s Large Local Majors funding programme.
The scheme has been designed to “improve journey time reliability, reduce delays and improve road safety.” Following a consultation on three possible options for improvements to Blue Bell Hill held in 2020, 85 per cent of respondents agreed that changes were needed.
This feedback has been used to develop the current preferred scheme. Proposed improvements include:
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.
Should planning approval and funding be acquired, construction is expected to begin in 2029. An announcement on funding is expected later this year.
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