Medway Council has announced plans for a new slip road on Medway City Estate to help ease congestion following a funding decision by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).
It has been agreed by SELEP that £1.7million from the Local Growth Fund (LGF) can be used to develop transport improvements on the business estate by creating a new slip road to bypass the roundabout from Medway City Estate onto Berwick Way. The improvement works aim to help traffic leave the estate more easily during peak evening times.
Christian Brodie, Chairman of SELEP, said: “The funding of these road improvements at the Medway City Estate will help it operate more effectively.
“By improving the flow of traffic in and out of the estate, businesses located there, as well as those who supply it, will be more productive and that is why it is important for the South East LEP to support these road improvements.”
Phase one of the project was completed in late 2017. This included the installation of traffic lights and alterations to the Anthonys Way-Berwick Way roundabout to alleviate some of the congestion experienced by visitors to and from the estate, especially during peak hours. Medway Council also put in additional loading and parking restrictions in January 2019.
Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Frontline Services, said: “We are committed to doing all we can to help improve journey times for people who work on Medway City Estate.
“I am pleased we have been successful in obtaining approval from SELEP for the development and implementation of the phase two works which will introduce a dedicated slip road for motorists leaving the estate. We hope this will further alleviate congestion at peak times.”
Medway Council has consulted with businesses on the estate to get their views on what further measures could be put in place to help ease congestion. Following the consultation, the council submitted a business case to SELEP to develop and implement this second phase of the project, the construction of a dedicated slip road from Medway City Estate onto Berwick Way.
SELEP has now approved the funding. Detailed surveying and ground investigation works will be carried out to finalise the plans and work is anticipated to begin on the new slip road towards the end of 2020.
The council will continue to keep businesses on the estate up-to-date with the plans.
For more information visit www.medway.gov.uk/cityestate