Plans to upgrade A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury announced

Plans for a £125m scheme to upgrade the A21 to dual carriageway between Tonbridge and Pembury have been published by the Highways Agency. This scheme aims to reduce travel delays and increase safety for tens of thousands of drivers and local residents.

Some 40,000 vehicles use the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury every day, leading to increased congestion in recent years.

The Highways Agency wants to widen the A21 in both directions and increase visibility on the road. The improvements will provide better access to Tunbridge Wells and include a new flyover linking the A21 to local businesses and Pembury Hospital. Journey times to Hastings via the A21 will also be reduced.

The plans available to the public for comment also show development of two junctions off the A21. It is hoped to start construction in 2012, subject to the successful completion of statutory processes. A two-day public exhibition will be held at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge on 15 and 16 January.

Draft orders detailing the scheme have been put on display for three months at various locations across Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Pembury. Information on the scheme can also be viewed on the Highways Agency website.

Interested parties have until 5 March 2010 to submit any comments or objections to the proposals.

Graham Link, Highways Agency Project Manager, said:

“These improvements to the A21 south of Tonbridge are designed to provide a number of significant benefits such as freer-flowing traffic and a reduction in congestion and driver stress. For local traffic, we plan to improve access to the A21 from the Fairthorne and Longfield Road junctions, and provide a new route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders between Vauxhall Lane and Longfield Road. A footbridge over the A21 near Pembury Hospital is also in the plans.”

Depending on the nature and number of any comments received, the project may be subject to a public inquiry.

Friday, 11th December, 2009