§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when it is now intended that construction of(a) the dual carriageway of the A253 from the end of the Thanet Way-Monkton roundabout—to the Prospect roundabout and (b) the dual carriageway of the A253 between the Prospect roundabout and the Lord of the Manor roundabouts will commence. [14864]
§ Mr. NorrisThese projects are part of the Kent county councils Thanet Way improvement scheme designed to improve access to and through north Kent, with particular benefits for Thanet. My Department is supporting the Thanet Way scheme, which will cost well over £100 million, through transport supplementary grant. I understand that Kent expects to begin work on the first of the sections referred to early next financial year. The second of the sections referred to is less far advanced: the county council expects to be promoting the scheme at the Thanet local plan inquiry during this year.