Funding of £13.2 million will come from South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), it has been announced. Kent County Council will build the road later this year.
SEEDA has completed the land acquisitions necessary to enable the construction of the road so that £400m Queensborough and Rushenden regeneration project on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, can be accessed.
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The Link Road will provide a gateway to the new community including 2,000 new homes, a 180-berth marina and open spaces. Commercial traffic will use the new road from Neats Court (the proposed employment area), to the new A259 and the Sheppey Crossing, instead of travelling through the residential parts of Queensborough and Rushenden.
"This is a trigger for starting the first phase of the development. We're pleased at the result which comes after complex negotiations, in parallel with the sensitive archaeological and environmental work tghat is being carried out," Nick Young, SEEDA's Senior Development Executive for Queensborough and Rushenden project, said.
Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Roger Gough, also said: "Queensborough is a vital link in the regeneration of North Kent and we look forward the road becoming a reality. The construction project is currently out to tender, but preparation work can start almost immediately and the major works are scheduled for later this year."
(JM)
