Councillors support idea of new link to motorway

A LINK road from the A2 to the M2between Sittingbourne and Faversham should be included in the borough's Local Plan, say councillors.

Mention of a southern link — likely to become an extension of the northern relief road, part of which is now being built at Milton Regis was made at Wednesday's full council meeting.

And councillors from all parties expressed their support for adding words to the Local Plan, a planning blueprint, indicating the importance of such a route.

Conservative Cllr Andrew Bowles, the leader of the council, said: "It has long been the aspiration of all of us. Cllr Barnicott and I have campaigned on it for many years."

The northern road is awaiting planning permission for the section between Kemsley and the Eurolink estate.

The overall plan includes a link to the A2 at Bapchild, which opponents believe will lead to a 30 per cent increase in traffic through Teynham and Ospringe.

Cllr Bowles said the impact on Bapchild and other villages along the A2 could be
"horrendous". As a result, councillors agreed the following reference should be added to the Local Plan: "In the longer term and following completion of the northern relief road, it may be necessary to consider more significant road improvements, including a possible new road link between the A2 and M2."

But not everyone was happy with the addition. Tory Cllr Adrian Crowther said: "While I support the link, I am not happy about the words `following the completion of northern relief road'.

"I would rather feel that when we know the relief road is coming to fruition, then the other road will be built because we are going to have excessive traffic."

Cllr Dick Calvert told the meeting he had some sympathy with the need for a southern link — as long as it was not seen as supporting proposals for housing associated with the expansion of Kent Science Park.

Cllr Bowles replied: "It is not my intention to support massive housing plans."