Official timetable for A21 dualling announced
The process of dualling the A21 will officially begin in September this year.
Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark confirmed he had been sent a timeline of works by transport secretary Lord Adonis this week.
Lord Adonis stated statutory plans for the road widening would be published in September this year and construction of the Tonbridge to Pembury section would start in January 2012.
Improvements between Kippings Cross and Lamberhurst could begin as early as June 2012.
Mr Clark said: "At last, the countdown to these urgently needed improvements can begin."
"Not only will the dualling of the A21 provide vital access to the new Pembury Hospital which will open in 2011, local people and businesses are simply fed up with wasting time in traffic jams and congestion."
Mr Clark said he would continue to press for the process to be speeded up "even further".
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by P W, From SE In NW
Tuesday, June 16 2009, 3:36PM
“Of course, if you'd had decent public transport in the first place it might never have become so bad!”
by Pharoque D'Quocque, Goudhurst
Saturday, June 13 2009, 5:39PM
“This is just another example of ¿one rule for them and another rule for us.¿
I live in Goudhurst and intend to attend the badminton events at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. My journey would be up the A21 and I have carefully planned it already as I do not want to miss the games.
But Oh no! Having had the A21 widening scheme on the table for as long as I can remember, the cynical powers in Whitehall choose to start work on the scheme in, oh yes, you guessed it, 2012.
This will totally disrupt my plans! It gives me IBS and agitates my psoriasis.
Yet again the Government has targeted me. This is not the first time. I have proof and it has been happening since Edward Heath was PM. George Orwell? 1984? Oh yes, it is here and now in West Kent, 2009.”
by HK, Tonbridge
Thursday, June 11 2009, 8:46PM
“Great, so we should have a new road by about 2014...
Unfortunately this will do nothing to solve the woeful traffic situation in Tonbridge - when will the rest of the eastern relief road finally be built to take through-traffic out of the town? And why was the supermarket company who offered to build it years ago, in return for setting up shop in town and providing both a boost to retail and some competition, turned down!! We could have had the best of both worlds!”
by Simon, Tonbridge
Thursday, June 11 2009, 1:51PM
“I won't hold my breath.
Anyone with half a brain would have waited until this was completed until the construction of the hospital and the new retail park on Longfield Road.”
by Jason, T/wells
Thursday, June 11 2009, 11:34AM
“..and by the time 2012 comes round there will be another government in place who will decide the money has to be spent on something else.
I first saw plans for this dualling in 1993!!!”