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".