Call for access to the M26 at Sevenoaks
Liberal Democrat Councillors are driving home their campaign to reduce traffic on roads around Sevenoaks and give residents across the region easier access to the M26 route to the Kent coast.
Sevenoaks Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion for debate at Sevenoaks District Council's meeting on Tuesday 18th November.
Thousands of new homes are proposed for the Sevenoaks area in the Sevenoaks District Council's latest draft Local Plan, leading to a proportionate increase in traffic congestion and pressure on existing roads.
The Lib Dems say that these houses can only be built sustainably if there is also funded and targeted investment in transport infrastructure, including major roads.
Lib Dem Cllr Richard Streatfeild said: "The Conservative District Council must up its game on transport and make sure that Sevenoaks is listened to. Thousands of new homes will mean more congestion, delays for children going to school, dirtier air and yet another set back for economic efficiency."
At the moment, there is no connection between the M26 and the A21, so lorries and cars have to leave the motorway at Wrotham Heath and then travel through Borough Green, Seal and northern Sevenoaks along the A25. Many are diverted through central Sevenoaks. This also creates problems for villages such as Kemsing, Chipstead, Otford and Halstead.
Equally, traffic from the south on the A21 is forced down the A25 or to continue on the M25 to the busy Junction 3.
Cllr Streatfeild added: "There is support for this investment in Kent County Council's transport plan and our District Council supports it in theory. With the Conservative Local Plan now out for consultation and proposing major new housing developments, we need a vocal and effective campaign across Kent to win the argument for this investment in practice.
"Sevenoaks District Council must step up and show the necessary leadership."
Cllr Claire Shea, Leader of Sevenoaks Town Council, said: “The lack of access to the M26 results in the doubly whammy of unacceptable congestion on the A25 plus a trail of large lorries driving down Sevenoaks High Street. This will be multiplied many times over once the quarry and other sites are built on with new homes. That's why we need action now, not after the Local Plan has gone through.”