Plans to widen A2 

No good any more

A public inquiry is planned into the proposed widening of a four-mile stretch of the A2.

The Highways agency plans to increase the A2 from three lanes into four lanes with hard shoulders and to move the road 220 metres  closer to the Cross Tunnel Rail Link.

It would be the second phase of an overall scheme which has already seen work completed to widen the stretch between Bean and Pepper Hill.

Costing an estimated £101m, the scheme would take two to three years to complete.

Gravesham Council leader Councillor John Burden said: "While fully supportive of the overall scheme there are issues surrounding the upkeep of the old A2 we are interested in.

"But the objections are just a way for the council to remain involved in the planning and we urge residents to attend the inquiry"

The Highways Agency say work is needed to reduce congestion caused by the 110,000 vehicles using the carriageway every day.

A spokesman said: "The councils are entitled to have their say in the front of an independent inspector."

It also says the road's new position, through unused farmland, will improve air quality and noise levels for nearby residents.

The old A2 road would be broken up and replaced with footpaths and cycleways.

Alex Hills, of conservation group Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "Going from six lanes to eight lanes is not a good way to reduce air pollution.

"In the short term there will be an improvement but the problem is in five or 10 years time we will be back to where we started.

"What we need is alternative forms of transport such as a monorail linking the north Kent areas rather than a one-road-cures-all solution."

The Highways Agency also plans to widen the A2 between the M25 and the Bean interchange.

The public inquiry into the Highways Agency's plans starts on May 26 at the Istead Rise Community Centre, Worcester Close, Istead Rise.

"Going from six lanes to eight lanes is not a good way to reduce air pollution.

"In the short term there will be an improvement but the problem is in five or 10 years time we will be back to where we started.

"What we need is alternative forms of transport such as a monorail linking the north Kent areas rather than a one-road-cures-all solution."