At a meeting with Tunbridge Wells MP, Greg Clark, this morning, Roads Minister Mike Penning placed the A21 Tonbridge to Pembury dualling scheme on a list of six projects nationwide being readied for construction from 2015 when the next round of funds is expected to become available.
The Minister also gave the go ahead to the Public Inquiry on the dualling scheme which local campaigners have been calling for. The A21 scheme is the only one of the six for which the Public Inquiry has been given permission to begin, putting this crucial scheme at the head of the list.
Speaking after the meeting in Westminster this morning, which was also attended by Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter, Greg Clark said:
"This is superb news. Not only has the Minister said that the A21 dualling is one of six schemes in the country to be prepared for investment from 2015, but he also confirmed to me that the Public Inquiry can go ahead without further delay.
"The whole community has been fighting so hard to get the A21 dualled and I am delighted that the Minister has listened to our arguments.
"I hope we can get through the Public Inquiry quickly so that it will be all systems go when the next round of money is released in 2015.
"As with the campaign for the new Pembury Hospital, I will take nothing for granted until I see construction start at long last, but this is a massive boost to our cause."