Failure to secure government funding could lead to closure risks on A299 route – including Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour Approach tunnel

Kent County Council says failure to secure a £63 million bid for government funding to carry out repairs on the A299 between Whitstable and Thanet could lead to restrictions or even route closures, including at Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour Approach tunnel and the Cliffsend underpass.

A £100m bid has been made by KCC to the government’s Structures Fund. Between £40.6m and £46.3m  is for the A226 Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe which was severed by a major cliff collapse in April 2023.

The secondary  £63m bid focuses on the A299 between Whitstable and Ramsgate.

The proposed scheme would address safety critical issues including the refurbishment of Chestfield and Royal Harbour Approach tunnels, repairs to four overbridges affected by ground movement, and deeper reconstruction of sections of the carriageway.

If successful, the investment would help remove the current 50mph speed restriction, reduce the risk of further unplanned closures caused by ageing tunnel safety equipment, and prevent potential closures of both the A299 and routes crossing the A299 due to deteriorating tunnels, bridges and embankments.

The £30m Royal Harbour Approach tunnel at the Western Undercliff opened in 2000 but last year Thanet council was informed that it requires at least £6m for maintenance and improvement to safely handle HGV traffic. At that time, KCC, which is responsible for maintaining and operating the tunnel, confirmed the work did not feature in its capital programme and that there was no budget available to fund the required works.

Military Road remains the emergency route when the tunnel is closed but TDC says “it would be entirely unacceptable for traffic to be redirected this way and through the town on a permanent basis.”

Following a vehicle fire on June 27, 2025, the tunnel suffered extensive damage to electrical systems, lighting, communications, and the road surface, leading to a temporary closure and subsequent repairs. It reopened the following month.

KCC says without funding to “ overhaul ageing safety equipment in tunnels and underpasses, there is a risk we may not be able to keep them safely open once existing spare parts run out.”

At the Chestfield Tunnel in 2024 repairs and replacement of the jet fans in the coast-bound lane took place following a safety critical fault being identified in the tunnel.

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson said: “KCC has submitted a £63 million bid to the Government’s Structures Fund to tackle structural and other issues along the A299 between Whitstable and Thanet.

“The funding would allow us to refurbish two tunnels, repair four overbridges affected by ground movement, and carry out deeper reconstruction on sections of the road where long‑term problems exist.

“Without this support, we would be limited to short‑term, reactive repairs that don’t address the underlying issues. We want to reassure the public that closures are a last resort. In the worst case, and only after all other options are exhausted, this could lead to measures such as weight restrictions, lane closures, or potentially closing routes over some bridges.

“As well as this, without funding to overhaul ageing safety equipment in tunnels and underpasses, there is a risk we may not be able to keep them safely open once existing spare parts run out.”