Road improvements could harm wildlife - charity

The Kent Wildlife Trust has warned that the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme could have "devastating consequences" for the environment.

They said the work would destroy habitats supporting a variety of "nationally scarce" species, such as orchids and butterflies.

Kent County Council recognised there was "potential for protected species to be present onsite or near the proposed works."

But they added a habitat survey would be taken to confirm whether protected ecological species were present, which would allow them to plan for relocating any affected species and protect habitats.

The plans involve widening the road that links Maidstone and the Medway towns to three lanes.

The wildlife trust's planning and policy officer Nicholas Trower urged KCC to take a more "nature-positive approach".

He said proposed mitigation measures were "unclear" and that the increased pollution from an expanded network could harm the climate and worsen air quality for local residents.

KKC said the project - which they said in January would cost £250m - involved increasing biodiversity in the area by 10% and that it was assessing how this could be achieved.

The local authority has previously called the A229 "one of the county's worst roads" in terms of congestion and road safety.

Work could start in 2029 and be completed by 2031, though KCC has warned of funding challenges.

A public consultation on the scheme ended on 17 March.

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