Kent Thames Gateway has won an additional £33.5M to invest in key transport projects to support growth in the area.

The Government has accepted the South East Regional Transport Board’s advice on the area’s top five transport projects for completion by 2011. Projects include the Medway Strategic Bus Corridor, which will include bus lanes and priority at traffic lights, and the A228 Ropers Lane to Grain project, aimed at improving journeys and road safety, as well as access to Thames Port at Isle of Grain. Improvements include a roundabout and two bridges.

Chairman of the Regional Transport Board, Cllr Nick Skellett, said: ‘The board will continue to press the Government for more infrastructure investment for new development.’ The £33.5M is in addition to £152M for transport improvements in Kent, secured by the board last year. Meanwhile, the need for better transport links was highlighted in computer-modelling work by consultancy firm Mouchel for the South Essex sub-region.

It found job creation and transport links in outlying areas would be crucial for sustainable communities. Andrew Potter, divisional manager for Transport Planning East, said: ‘What this indicates is, that without further transport investment, the South Essex sub-region of the Gateway will see an increase in “out-commuting” and journey length, and the reliance on Greater London to provide jobs for those residents will increase.’

The DGLG has confirmed its commitment to the Thames Gateway Bridge, and is planning to launch a fresh bid to build the crossing. An inspector recommended that planning permission be refused for the scheme in August (Surveyor, 2 August 2007).