Warning over 'traffic apocalypse'

The CPRE argues that Kent's roads are already grinding to a halt

Kent is heading towards a "traffic apocalypse" unless steps are taken to manage growing numbers of cars on the county's roads, campaigners warn.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said house building was predicted to increase traffic on some routes by 30% over the next 25 years.

"Kent is grinding to a halt and we have got to do something now to stop that," said spokeswoman Dr Hilary Newport.

The CPRE called for better public transport and cycling facilities.

"We are concerned that, although reducing reliance on cars lies at the heart of the transport plan, no specific measures are set out to cut the number of car journeys," said Dr Newport.

"We call on KCC to put investment into making sure people have a real alternative to climbing into the car to get to work or to get their kids to school."

The CPRE said traffic on routes between urban areas in Kent had already increased by over 11% in the last three years.

The Thames Gateway and Ashford growth areas alone would bring another 120,000 households, and at least as many cars, to the county.

The group's response to Kent County Council's local transport plan focuses on three major road building schemes:

It says the £64m East Kent Access Stage 2, designed to improve access to and within Dover and Thanet, damages the countryside and local heritage sites.

The A228 Colt's Hill bypass, intended to improve access to Tunbridge Wells, would damage large swathes of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

And the Leeds-Langley bypass would fail in its aim to sort out Maidstone's traffic problems.