“With the Government proposing to allocate some of the £6 billion a year raised from Vehicle Excise into upgrading our A road system, this Council urges the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey to press both the Government and the Kent County Council to see that funding is belatedly dedicated to the completion of the Northern Relief Road, from East Hall to Bapchild.”

Proposed by Councillor Roger Truelove

Seconded by Councillor Ghlin Whelan

Councillor Roger Truelove proposed: “With the Government proposing to allocate some of the £6 billion a year raised from Vehicle Excise into upgrading our A road system, this Council urges the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey to press both the Government and the Kent County Council to see that funding is belatedly dedicated to the completion of the Northern Relief Road (NRR), from East Hall to Bapchild.”

In proposing the motion, Councillor Roger Truelove advised that there was a compelling case for the Northern Relief Road, and  referred to the lack of access to the Easthall Estate; the fact that there was one way in to Sittingbourne; and that alternative routes were needed around Sittingbourne if the Council was serious about regeneration.  He understood that there were political pressures to avoid additional traffic on the A2, and disagreed with the Highways report that had said the NRR was not necessary.  Whilst it was a financial challenge, the Council must be proactive in getting the money, and he encouraged Members to support the Motion.

This was seconded by Councillor Ghlin Whelan, who reserved his right to speak.

The Leader responded and indicated that there may be an amendment to the Motion.

The Leader of the UKIP Group referred to the road access for the community of the Great Easthall Estate, and advised that there were other areas that needed to be upgraded before he could support the NRR, such as the Grovehurst Road roundabout.  In addition, he considered the NRR would lead to a series of housing developments in Rodmersham and Bapchild, and so he could not support it.

During the debate, Councillor Roger Truelove clarified that the Motion was about investment in A roads.

Councillor Mark Ellen proposed an amendment to the Motion, to add the words “and the Lower Road on the Isle of Sheppey”.  This was seconded by Councillor Harrison.  In seconding the amendment, she referred to the efforts that had resulted in the Rushenden Relief Road being built.

A discussion ensued on the amendment, during which other options were suggested such as improvements to the A2, A251, and Brenley Corner; and to include reference in the Motion to the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent.  Another Member advised that the suggestion to include Lower Road, Sheppey was not necessary, as this was being progressed by KCC already with funding in place.

The Mayor referred to the thirty minute time limit for debate on a Motion, and a vote was taken on the amendment, which was lost.

Councillor Mike Cosgrove proposed an amendment to add the words “this Council welcomes the MPs for Sittingbourne and Sheppey and Faversham and Mid Kent pressing Government and KCC to secure funding to the strategic highway network across Swale including the completion of the Northern Relief Road and Southern Link, Brenley Corner, and A249 improvements to the M2 thus significantly improving air quality and traffic flows” and to remove the words of the original motion from “this Council urges ….”.

This was seconded by the Leader, who referred to the thirty minute time limit and moved that the amendment be put to the vote.  A vote was taken on the amendment, which was agreed.

A vote was then taken on the Substantive Motion, which was agreed.

Resolved:

(1) With the Government proposing to allocate some of the £6 billion a year raised from Vehicle Excise into upgrading our A road system, this Council welcomes the MPs for Sittingbourne and Sheppey and Faversham and Mid Kent pressing Government and KCC to secure funding to the strategic highway network across Swale including the completion of the Northern Relief Road and Southern Link, Brenley Corner, and A249 improvements to the M2 thus significantly improving air quality and traffic flows.