Anger at country park road route

The government has pledged £29m towards the new relief road

Some 200 people staged a protest about plans to build part of a multi-million- pound road across a Kent country park.

The Sittingbourne northern relief road will connect the A249 and the A2 and is earmarked to cut right across Church Marshes Country Park at Kemsley.

Residents want the route changed by half a mile and showed their anger at the plans by protesting on Saturday.

Kent County Council said it would visit the site and take on board views before the planning application was decided.

'Alternative routes'

The government has pledged £29m towards the new bypass which is designed to divert traffic from the town centre.

People living by the country park are upset that a part of the road has been routed right near their gardens and they say it will damage the park.

Derek Clarke, leader of the campaign, said: "We know the road is wanted but what is the use of regenerating the area if they are alienating the people who are going to be doing the regenerating by lowering the house prices and taking away decent amenity?

"There are, I think, at least two alternative viable routes."

Kent County Council said it would visit the site next week and consider the views of residents before making a decision.

It also acknowledged the country park would be adversely affected by the current road plans.

Swale Borough Council will also be asked for its views on the proposed route.