The hypocrisy of Cllr Andrew Bowles

The hypocrisy of Cllr Andrew Bowles stance on the Kent Science Park is simply astounding. Following the huge public backlash against the proposals from the Science Park Andrew Bowles is describing thousands of houses as a ‘price to high’, although the rest of it is apparently just fine.

He has along with several others councillors and various members of KCC already stated that 1,500 to 2,000 houses would be all that is required to fund their shameful excuse of a relief road. As much as he would like the government to fund the road he knows full well this is highly unlikely to happen and you only need to look at the Northern Relief Road where it was promised that funding via housing would not be considered and now we’re looking at the second major housing estate.

On the subject of the A2/M2 link road he suggests that ‘the need for it was yet to be established’ a point that I whole-heartedly agree with. However not only have Swale already selected this as their only solution, but the route has also been effectively been signed off. I recall earlier this year where in the East Kent Gazette he denied that the Kent Science Park was funding the second feasibility into the road, a claim that was entirely true. The road is in the Swale Transport Policy and is one Swale Forwards’ flagship schemes, an organisation which incidentally he runs.

He has previously stated “"It has long been the aspiration of all of us. Cllr Barnicott and I have campaigned on it for many years."

How on earth can anyone trust that Swale can now in all seriousness consider that “the need has yet to be established” and that Swale will act in a responsible way to consult on possible solutions.

So Swale wants a hugely expanded park which would destroy hundreds of acres of countryside before its proven viable, a road that’s not even feasible and possibly just a couple of thousand houses. Personally I’m finding it difficult to tell the difference between the goals of Swale, Swale Forward and the Kent Science Park.

Apparently, however, it’s not down to him. It’s the voters and residents of Swale who matter, really well perhaps he should start listening to them.