EDF SLAMMED FOR ESSENTIAL ROADWORK DELAY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 1st Feb 2008

Maidstone's traffic continues to block at this key point, economic development is delayed and air quality deteriorates

At a meeting of the Environment and Regeneration Policy Committee of the County Council yesterday (Jan 31) EDF was heavily criticised for delaying essential road improvements in Maidstone Town centre.

Road widening at the central traffic gyratory at Maidstone Bridge is key to the improvement in traffic flow from South to North but EDF needs to move an electricity sub-station.

This work was originally scheduled to be completed this year but EDF say they cannot start until the summer of 2009 which means that the scheme will now be delayed for up to two years.

At the meeting Dan Daley, Lib Dem spokesperson on the Policy Committee stated that this was totally unacceptable and that the EDF were showing their usual casual attitude to what was seen as essential work. Keith Ferrin, Cabinet Member for Highways and the Environment agreed and advised those present that he would write again to EDF in the strongest possible terms urging them to reconsider their timetable.

"In the meantime" Dan said "Maidstone's traffic continues to block at this key point, economic development along the river is delayed and the air quality deteriorates".