Road improvements in Paddock Wood, Kent, are delayed to improve design for 1,000 new homes and flooding issues.
Three builders are putting up about 1,000 homes there. Kent County Council was supposed to improve the roads.
The road project costs about £4.7 million. Builders paid for it through a special agreement. Now, the A228/B2017 and B2017/B2160 junctions need more work. They might need a bigger roundabout.
Also, a new crossroads near Mascalls Academy is tricky. New flood maps changed things, too. They must move water away from a drain.
The council faces a tough choice about the project. They can change it or scrap it completely. But dropping it would mean no road fixes for the new homes.
Officials couldn’t find a better fix. It must also handle flood risks and fit the available land. A councillor said development overwhelmed Paddock Wood. She said the roads got too crowded.
They will clear plants soon. This prevents disturbing nesting birds. They will also get quotes from contractors over the next two months.
Improving those junctions helps with the extra traffic. It makes getting around easier with many new homes. The changed plan still improves traffic flow as first intended.
Construction should start this summer. It will probably last four to six months. They hope to finish before March 2026.