Give nature a voice in A229 improvement scheme

20th February 2025

Kent Wildlife Trust is asking people to participate in the A229 consultation before 17th March.
The scheme threatens roadside nature reserves, deciduous woodland, and rare species like the Adonis blue butterfly and adder.
The trust has voiced concerns over transparency whereby environmental assessments and mitigation plans have not been made publicly available.
It is said the scheme is needed to support the additional traffic created by the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.
Planners at the conservation charity say it is a flawed traffic solution and greater investment in green travel is needed.

Respond to the consultation Lower Thames Crossing Campaign Speak up for Nature newsletter Read our consultation response

Kent Wildlife Trust is encouraging residents to take part in the ongoing consultation regarding the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme, which could have devastating consequences for local wildlife and biodiversity. The consultation, led by Kent County Council, closes on 17th March, and Kent Wildlife Trust says it is vital that the community makes its voice heard and speaks up for nature.

The proposed road expansion between Junction 3 of the M2 and Junction 6 of the M20 aims to reduce congestion and accommodate increased traffic due to the Lower Thames Crossing and local housing developments.

The Lower Thames Crossing has been marketed as a solution to ease congestion on existing routes, particularly at the Dartford Crossing. However, the A229 scheme suggests that instead of alleviating congestion, the new crossing will generate additional traffic, necessitating further road expansions.

This contradiction highlights potential flaws in the traffic modelling and long-term planning of both projects. Like the Lower Thames Crossing, the A229 scheme comes at a steep environmental cost. The works will lead to the destruction of designated Roadside Nature Reserves, Blue Bell Hill Banks and Verges Local Wildlife Site, and other priority habitats, including deciduous woodland and calcareous grassland. These habitats support a variety of nationally scarce species, such as the fly orchid, man orchid, and the Adonis blue butterfly.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s Planning and Policy Officer, Nicholas Trower says: “These sites are essential stepping-stones for pollinators and home to rare and protected species. The loss of these habitats, combined with increased nitrogen dioxide pollution from the expanded road network, could accelerate biodiversity decline. The proposed mitigation measures are unclear, and we urge Kent County Council to take a more strategic, nature-positive approach.”

One of the most alarming aspects of the proposal is the lack of transparency. While the consultation claims that habitat surveys and assessments have been conducted, these documents have not been made publicly available. Moreover, no clear mitigation measures have been put forward to compensate for the environmental destruction.

Experts warn that increasing road capacity is a short-term fix that ultimately induces more traffic, leading to worsening congestion and pollution. Instead of expanding roads at the expense of nature, investment should be made in sustainable public transport solutions. Providing the infrastructure to support walking, cycling, and better-connected communities will provide long-term relief from traffic while protecting the environment.

Crucially, the A229 expansion is being treated separately from the Lower Thames Crossing, despite being directly linked. A holistic environmental assessment that considers the cumulative impact of both projects is necessary to ensure long-term sustainability and adherence to the UK’s net-zero commitments.

Nicholas Trower added: “Like the Lower Thames Crossing, these plans are poorly conceived, offering only a temporary fix to congestion while increasing emissions, destroying our vital green spaces, and further deteriorating air quality for local residents. We owe it to wildlife and future generations to find another way.”

Speak up for nature!

We urge all concerned residents, conservationists, and sustainability advocates to take part in the consultation before it closes on 17th March. Your voice can help protect Kent’s precious wildlife and shape a more sustainable future.

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Speak up for nature!