Future of 6 Maidstone roads including A20, A229 and A274 goes to public consultation
11:26, 29 January 2020
updated: 11:51, 29 January 2020
The public has been asked to have its say on the future of key transport routes around Maidstone.
Kent Council County has combined roadworks schemes around the County Town and created the Maidstone Integrated Transport Package (MITP).
Among the schemes listed is KCC's plan to demolish The Wheatsheaf and create a roundabout for the junction between Loose Road and Sutton Road, as well as plans to improve the A20 Coldharbour roundabout.
As the county council brings its package of plans together, it's asking for motorists and other road users to have their say on other improvement works.
They include the A229 Loose Corridor at the Armstrong Road junction with Park Way, Cripple Street's junction with Boughton Lane, the A20 Ashford Road junction with Willington Street and the A274 Sutton Road junction, again with Willington Street.
Locals can have their say from today up until Wednesday, March 11.
KCC cabinet member for highways and transport Michael Payne said: "As traffic continues to grow, delays are expected to increase in the town.
"Maidstone is the point where several main roads meet, providing links to four nearby junctions with the M20. Pressure is most apparent on the A229 and A274 corridors in south and east Maidstone and on the A20 corridor in north west Maidstone.
"The constrained nature of the town centre also contributes to congestion during peak periods and these proposed schemes intend to improve the road network.
"To do nothing is realistically not an option and our aim is to reduce congestion, provide additional capacity, improve air quality and deliver wider benefits to our local businesses and communities."
If agreed, KCC proposes phase one of improvement works to start in May with work on the A20 Coldharbour roundabout.
Phase two would start in the summer on the A229 Loose Road.
Phase three would be the Willington Street junction with the A20 Ashford Road in early 2021 and the A274 Sutton Road in spring 2022.
Funding for the MITP has been covered by £8.9 million from the government’s Local Growth Fund.
Funding for the A274 Sutton Road junction with Willington Street scheme will be funded through private sector Section 106 contributions from nearby housing developments and is expected to cost £2.5 million.
To take part, visit kent.gov.uk/keepmaidstonemoving or request a paper copy by emailing kmmconsultation@kent.gov.uk or pick one up from a Maidstone library.
There are also three consultation events:
• The Tudor Park Marriott Hotel, Ashford Road, Bearsted ME14 4NQ on Saturday, February 8 between 10am and 1pm with a presentation from the team at 11am.
• The Village Hotel, Castle View, Forstal Road, Maidstone ME14 3AQ on Wednesday, February 12 between 5:30pm and 8:30pm with a presentation from the team at 7pm.
• Sessions House, County Hall, County Road, Maidstone ME14 1XQ on Monday, February 17 between 1pm and 7pm with a presentation from the team at 2pm and 6pm.
A report summarising the feedback will be published in April. KCC says it will be used to further develop the scheme designs.
