Kent County Council (KCC) has welcomed confirmation from the Department for Transport (DfT) that the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme will remain within the Government’s Major Road Network and Large Local Majors programme following its national review.

The scheme, which KCC consulted on in January 2025, aims to deliver significant upgrades to one of Kent’s busiest and most strategically important routes, improving safety, reducing congestion and supporting future growth.

In its letter to KCC, the DfT confirmed that although the scheme has cleared the review stage, it must now move through the usual business‑case and approvals process before any funding can be formally awarded. The Department also stated that it will continue to support the scheme’s development and work closely with KCC to ensure the programme stays on track.

As part of this, KCC has committed to ensuring construction would begin before the end of March 2029, subject to approvals – a deadline the DfT has confirmed it will work collaboratively with the council to help meet.

The A229 Blue Bell Hill corridor is a key link between the M2 and M20 and plays a vital role in connecting communities, supporting freight movement and enabling economic activity across Kent and the wider region.

Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We’re pleased that the A229 Blue Bell Hill scheme we consulted on last year has successfully passed through the Government’s review and remains within the national programme.

‘This announcement represents a positive step forward for this important project. This is not yet a funding decision, and we still need to complete the full business‑case process, but we will continue working closely with the Department for Transport to progress the scheme.”

KCC will continue to update residents as the project progresses through the next stages.

Find out more about the scheme: A229 Blue Bell Hill - Kent County Council

Source & picture credit: Kent County Council