On Monday I joined fellow Kent and Medway MPs at Number 11 Downing Street to lobby the Chancellor for further road investment in our region, including the issues experienced around Rochester and Strood and the case for duelling the A2.
It was great that ten of us were able to come together as one to make the call for focus on one of the country’s most vital regions in terms of road infrastructure.
This is now particularly important given the government’s prediction of a 101% increase of roll on – roll off traffic through the Channel Crossings by 2030. The number of vehicles travelling through the Port of Dover has already rocketed – from 1.6 million cars and 730,000 lorries in 1985 to 2.3 million cars and 2.5 million HGVs in 2015.
I was pleased to be able to raise severe congestion issues too many of us experience around Medway, and warn of what more will come should Option C of the second Lower Thames Crossing and the development of 70,000 across North Kent all go ahead by 2035, including almost 30,000 in Medway alone.
I have long been vocal on the nightmare we will have to endure in the face of these massive and poorly thought through plans. Our local road infrastructure, including the A2, A228 and A289, is already under strain from the weight of current traffic and population levels and only calamity awaits without significant strategic investment.
I am pleased that the Chancellor quickly understood these issues and is now aware of one of our key priorities. As part of the Kent MPs group, I will continue to work closely and regularly with colleagues on this matter, ensuring Rochester and Strood does not suffer further inconvenience and receives due consideration going forwards.