A Kent MP’s call for the government to “step in” and fork out the upfront costs of repairing a collapsed road shut for more than a year has been rejected.
Dartford MP Gareth Johnson brought forward a debate in Parliament on the issue of the A226 Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe which remains shut following a landslide.
It comes after part of the cliff collapsed, between Swanscombe High Street and Ebbsfleet’s Kuflink stadium in Northfleet, taking part of the carriageway and pavement with it.
Since then there has been more than a year of legal wranglings with the landowners to gain access to the site amid ongoing disputes over liability between Kent County Council (KCC) and Thames Water.
The issue was brought up during a debate in Westminster Hall earlier today (May 7) in which Mr Johnson called for government support for repairs to the A226 Galley Hill Road.
He told the debate: “We cannot have nothing happen while KCC and Thames Water resolve their dispute.
“I’m pleased the KCC has taken legal action to access the road and they must find out what caused this collapse as soon as possible.
“I am asking the government to step in to pay for the repair and replacement of this road. Whoever is liable can compensate the government at a later date.”
He added: “This is a frustrating situation that has gone on for far too long.”
The Tory backbencher was backed by his Kent colleague and Gravesham MP Adam Holloway who said he’d received “multiple complaints” about the situation with the closure putting a “massive strain” on the nearby A2.
He said: “Bus users are particularly affected and have their journeys have been cut into two routes.
“Getting the road open again is an absolute priority.
“It is vital the government steps in as the local authority cannot reopen the road in a reasonable time.”
Minister for Roads and Local Transport Guy Opperman accepted the road closure was a “massive issue”.
“The core funding for Kent has gone up considerably,” he told the meeting.
“I accept this is going to be a very expensive process and it is vital that Kent progress this matter.
“I make a plea to the owner of the third property to consider the situation here. This property has not given their consent.
“I urge the third owner to consider again and ask them to avoid the legal process that will be necessary.
“All local authorities are liable for the maintenance and upkeep of their local roads.”
But he stopped short of pledging government funds direct to the project.
He added: “It is not the norm for the Department of Transport to step in and say do not worry about the Highways Act and step in and fix the problem and that’s not what I would propose.
“However, it is not acceptable that not all the parties in the room are talking on an ongoing basis.
“My door is open to convene a meeting with Thames Water and KCC and invite them to come in and discuss the way ahead.
“It is impossible to do anything until you can identify causation and what good repair looks like.”
Last month, residents waved placards and tooted horns in a protest marking one year since the major road collapsed.
A protest, dubbed an “unhappy birthday”, saw more than 50 residents turn up at the junction of Galley Hill Road and Swanscombe High Street to express their dissatisfaction at the lack of action since the road collapsed on April 10 last year.
Residents say this has left them facing traffic misery including gridlocked roads, lack of buses and noisy, sleepless nights.
Last month, a digger finally appeared onsite at the main thoroughfare and began undergoing tests on the land to the south side of the collapse.
After recently being granted access to the south side of the A226 to start intrusive investigations, KCC is now desperate to get onto the north side to complete their work.
The county council has vowed to go to the courts if it has to in order to gain access to land to the north of the A226 Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe.
When approached previously by KentOnline, landowners Lancebox Ltd said they were still awaiting communication with KCC.
