House of Commons - Hansard

Kent Count Council

Extract from an updated report by Head of Planning Applications Unit to Planning Applications Committee on 21 March 2006.

50. It is generally acknowledged that the length of the A25 from Wrotham Heath to Sevenoaks is a primary route because of the lack of east facing slips at the M25/M26/A21. I am advised that the provision of these slips is likely to be addressed as part of a future phase of the M25 widening but there is no firm programme date for this work and no details of any modifications to the above mentioned interchange.

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Kent Count Council

Extract from an updated report by Head of Planning Applications Unit to Planning Applications Committee on 16 May 2006.

24. There is discussion within the original report about the relative merits of traffic flow relief that the bypass would bring compared with shift in flows that would result from the provision of east facing slips on the M26 at Chevening. Questions were raised as to the timing of the latter road improvements. Widening of the M25 from junction 5 to 7 within the existing Highway limit was a recommendation of the Government’s Multi Modal Study “Orbit” (2001). These widening plans entered the Government’s Target Programme of Improvements in April 2004 but it is not certain that the provision of east facing slips onto the M26 will be part of the scheme, as this would require land acquisition outside the highway. Whilst the Highways Agency intend to award the contract for widening the M25 between Junctions 5 and 7 in 2008, the provision of the slip roads is being studied at this time for feasibility. If this study concludes that provision is feasible and/or desirable there would be the opportunity of the scheme going to a public inquiry before being constructed, either at the planning stage or during the Compulsory Purchase Order and Side Roads Order stage. With the above procedures being carried through it is not expected that any scheme would be commenced until post 2010/2011.

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 7 September 2005

Joint Report of the Director of Planning & Transportation and the Cabinet Member for Planning & Transportation

Part 1- Public Executive Non Key Decisions 1 SOUTH EAST PLAN

Summary This report provides an update on progress made by the South East England Regional Assembly in the production of the South East Plan. It also seeks endorsement for representations to be made on behalf of the Council in respect of Part 2 of the South East Plan which deals with sub-regional issues including District level housing provision figures and is currently the subject of public consultation. 1.4.3 In the Rest of Kent region, the importance of improvements to the Medway Valley line is again highlighted and the role and improvement of the A228 as a strategic route including the Colts Hill bypass is highlighted. The improvement of the M25/M26 junction to remove unsuitable traffic from the A25 and various sections of the A21 improvements are also listed as critical transport projects.

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Sevenoaks District Council

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of Sevenoaks Local Development Framework 29/09/2006
Extract from Table 2: Sustainability problems facing Sevenoaks and associated supporting evidence The M25, M26, M20, A20 Swanley by-pass and a section of the A25 at Riverhead were declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in March 2002 (Sevenoaks Air Quality Action Plan).

The principal cause of poor air quality in Sevenoaks is the large volume of road traffic including a very high proportion of heavy goods vehicles passing through the area on the motorways to and from the Channel ports and tunnel (Sevenoaks Air Quality Action Plan).

The Council has no control over the traffic on major trunk routes such as the M25 and relies on the Government and the Highways Agency to introduce National Strategies and local measures to reduce the air pollution affecting the area (Sevenoaks Air Quality Action Plan).

Most residents are increasingly dependent on private cars and car ownership per household is increasing (Sevenoaks Sustainable Development Action Plan).

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Tunbridge Wells Borough Transport Strategy
Adopted July 2003 STRATEGY

2.0.10 The strategic improvements required as part of the Transport Strategy are the responsibility of other organisations to deliver. Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies (TOCs) and the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) are responsible for planning and delivering rail infrastructure and service improvements, whilst the Department for Transport (DfT) and Kent County Council fund the majority of strategic highway improvements within the borough.

Roads
2.0.16 The A228 Colts Hill Strategic Link and provision of slip roads between the A21 and M26 will assist in the delivery of the Transport Strategy. The upgrading of the A228 is important in terms of the economic development of Kent and will improve access for HGVs to Paddock Wood employment areas. The single carriageway link, bypassing Colts Hill, would remove traffic from the residential frontage, improve the local environment and possibly reduce traffic on parts of the A26. Some traffic currently chooses to use the A26 through Tonbridge to access Maidstone, rather than travelling on the A228 because of the poor quality and low capacity of the road. 2.0.17 These strategic highway improvements would help to ensure that through-traffic (particularly HGVs) is directed to appropriate routes. The schemes will reduce traffic flows through villages, with consequential improvements in road safety. Improved village environment and amenity of local residents will also result.

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Borough Green Parish Council