A long-awaited new slip-road off the A2 could finally be built as fresh plans for the £8.8 million project have been unveiled.
An initial proposal for the junction in Canterbury was given the green light in 2018 but planning permission lapsed before any construction could take place.
Motorists will be brought off the A2 near the Wincheap retail park
Now, a new application has been submitted by Barratt David Wilson Homes (BDW), which is compelled to fund the slip-road as part of its development of a nearby housing estate.
It is hoped the junction, which will bring Dover-bound traffic off the A2 into the city at Wincheap, will alleviate traffic issues along the A28 and reduce pressure on the ring-road.
But critics claim the new exit slip will simply add to congestion.
BDW has to build the junction before the 450th property at its 750-home Saxon Fields development in Thanington is occupied.
In papers submitted to Canterbury City Council (CCC), it says the new slip-road will “contribute to the overall better management of the roads in the vicinity of the city centre”.
It adds: “In recent years, an A2 London bound on slip road has been provided at Wincheap, and this has allowed some relief to the busy western section of the inner ring road, as traffic can exit the city centre more quickly along the A28 corridor.
“However, the missing eastbound off-slip road means that traffic travelling into the city centre continues to use the A2 exit at Harbledown, and then has to distribute to the wider area via the inner ring road, predominantly using Rheims Way.
“Even traffic heading for Wincheap has to use this route, travelling further in towards the city centre than is necessary before heading out again to reach its destination.”
As well as currently piling pressure on Harbledown and the ring-road, traffic trying to enter the city from the M2 and Brenley Corner also filters through Bridge – often leading to tailbacks on the A2 both ways during rush hour.
Vehicles coming off at the new Wincheap junction will be able to access both the Ashford-bound and Canterbury-bound A28 carriageways as well as providing direct access to Ten Perch Road, Morrisons, the Wincheap park and ride site and the Wincheap Industrial Estate.