A multi-million pound upgrade to Stockbury roundabout will save lives.

Those were the words of Kent County Council’s Swale councillor Mike Whiting, who threw his support behind an £80m revamp of the junction at a public inquiry this week.

A government inspector is deciding whether to give Highways England the green light to proceed with a flyover at the A249 junction with the M2 at Junction 5 for Sittingbourne, Sheppey, and Maidstone.

The inquiry started on November 18 and closed yesterday.

Giving evidence Cllr Whiting, who is also the county council’s cabinet member for economic development, said the Stockbury junction has “one of the worst safety records in England”, claiming there is at least one personal injury accident every two weeks with “less serious accidents occurring on almost a daily basis”.

Highways England says the roundabout is in the top 50 accident blackspots in the country.

And as one of the main routes to and from the continent, Cllr Whiting believes congestion will increase massively as the result of predicted post-Brexit growth at the ports of Sheerness, Dover and Eurotunnel.

'I am in no doubt this will save lives.'

The Lower Thames Crossing is also expected to open in the next few years, adding to local traffic.

He said: “The need for the improvements to the junction not only to improve safety now, but to safeguard against this expected growth in volumes is, I would suggest, a clear one.”

Cllr Whiting explained the junction served three “major employment hubs” in Sheerness, Sittingbourne and Maidstone.

In concluding his support for the plans he said: “I am firmly of the belief that the proposed improvements will significantly improve on a dreadful and unacceptable safety record, and I am in no doubt this will save lives.

“The junction is absolutely key to the UK economy.

“I am in no doubt the proposed improvements will significantly improve employment prospects and life chances by bringing new opportunities to some of our most disadvantaged.”

Earlier the inquiry heard from Stockbury Parish Council, which fears the village could be cut off if access to the A249 via Honeycrock Hill is removed.

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is also concerned about the environmental impact of the scheme.

A decision is not expected for several months.

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