Bearsted Road Delays: Cllr Geoffrey Samme Demands Action and Real Answers

What’s going on?

Improvements to Bearsted Road and M20 Junction 7 were promised five years ago to cut traffic jams and support two new schools. The plans were also intended to help motorists access Vinters Crematorium, KIMS Hospital, the Maidstone Innovation Centre, and other businesses along Newnham Court Way — but the main roadworks haven’t even started.

While some preparatory work has taken place — including site clearance, utility surveys, and the setup of a compound — construction has been delayed again and again. Local Liberal Democrat County Councillor Geoffrey Samme is now demanding answers from Kent County Council (KCC) about what’s really going on.

What was meant to happen?

The project was supposed to:

1. Widen the stretch of Bearsted Road between two roundabouts to two lanes in both directions, providing better lane discipline, a turning lane for Newnham Court Way, and more stacking space to reduce congestion
2. Add traffic lights to the Bearsted Road and New Cut Road roundabouts
3. Improve traffic flow using smart technology and better layouts
4. Ease pressure on Junction 7 of the M20
5. Allow traffic to flow more smoothly to two new schools and Kent Medical Campus (which includes KIMS and the Innovation Centre)

It was meant to be completed before the new schools opened. Instead, temporary traffic lights and crossings were installed — and have now been in place for four years.

The total cost was set at £11.4 million, funded mainly through Government transport grants, with additional contributions from KCC and Maidstone Borough Council.

What’s caused the delay?

KCC consulted on a design with local councillors and residents, which received broad support, and carried out some early works. However, the County Council then decided to increase both the scale and land take of the project. Instead of the previously agreed landscaped verges, a high concrete retaining wall was substituted — requiring the re-routing of many underground services and other costly engineering measures.

As a result, the contractor’s price rose due to project changes and inflation, and they ultimately withdrew from the scheme. KCC has since reported that it is retendering for a new contractor — but has made no commitment to identifying new funding for the project.

Another part of the wider upgrade — installing traffic lights at M20 Junction 7 — has received significant funding through Maidstone Borough Council’s Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy. However, the future of these works, intended to ease congestion on the adjacent A249 and M20 slip roads, also remains unclear.

What is Cllr Samme asking for?

At the latest Maidstone Joint Transport Board meeting on 9 July, Cllr Geoffrey Samme said it was time for KCC to stop hiding behind delays and broken promises. He is calling for:

1. A long-overdue officer report to be published immediately
2. Any updated road designs to be shared with councillors and residents
3. Local councillors to see the latest safety checks and assessments
4. Confirmation that a construction contract is finally being signed
5. A full timetable and phasing plan to be released
6. Landscaping and tree-planting plans — long overdue — to be published, to mitigate inevitable harm to the local landscape and wildlife

“This is one of Maidstone’s worst traffic black spots,” said Cllr Samme.
“People travelling to schools, the hospital, or the Innovation Centre face daily delays. We need openness, and we need action. But in recognition of its proximity to residential areas and beautiful countryside, we also need the road and active travel infrastructure to be well-landscaped and to better protect local wildlife.”

He has also requested that his questions be included in the official meeting minutes and has called on the Chairman to write to KCC, asking for full written responses — without delay.