Government funding of £3.978 million has been awarded for upgrade works to a section of the A299 Thanet way.
The funding is part of Government plans to invest £5 billion in infrastructure to kickstart the country’s economic recovery from coronavirus.
The A299 Thanet Way Renewal scheme will receive the £3.98m from the Government, along with £442,000 of local funding, to proceed. It is one of 29 local road projects which are receiving a share of £100 million, as part of the Government’s plans announced today (June 30).
According to a bid made by Kent County Council last year the work concerns the major renewal and strengthening of sections of the road to address significant areas of undulations likely caused by underlying clay soil conditions.
The bid states: “We propose to fully reconstruct and strengthen around 1,750m of Lane 1 coastbound to a depth of 750-1,000mm including bound, unbound and capping layers. The same underlying clay soil conditions have also affected four overbridges, and this is the subject of a separate expression of interest for Challenge Fund resource in 2020 and 2021.”
The sections are Lane 1 coastbound between M2 Brenley Corner junction and Herne Bay, predominantly
the area around the Whitstable junction and approaching/exit of Chestfield tunnel.
South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay, said: “I am delighted that Thanet will be one of the very first beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s New Deal for Britain, kickstarting our recovery from coronavirus.
“Upgrading the A299 will bring huge benefits to our local area, alleviating traffic problems, reducing congestion, pollution and better connecting our community with the rest of the country.
“Last December I was elected to level up Thanet, and I am pleased to be able to demonstrate the Conservatives’ commitment to doing so.”
North Thanet Mp Sir Roger Gale added: ““Clearly the last thing that we want is for work to start during what we still hope will be a good if short summer holiday season but I hope that we can get cracking very fast in the Autumn.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “As the country begins the recovery from Covid-19, we need to get on the front foot and invest in infrastructure in every region to reignite the economy, helping better connect people with work and leisure in the future.
“By investing £100m in local roads and reaffirming our commitment to better connecting communities, we are not just talking about levelling up – but making it happen.”
