Road landslip repair could cost £50m - councillors

The cost of repairing a road damaged by a huge chalk cliff landslip could be as much as £50m, according to councillors.

Back in April 2023, a section of the A226 Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe collapsed following a burst water main.

Thomas Mallon, Reform UK councillor for the area on Kent County Council (KCC), said he was encouraged by "recent signs of progress" and hoped the situation would be resolved soon.

Both Mallon and Labour MP for Dartford Jim Dickson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the repair was estimated to cost about £50m.

Residents have complained of cars, vans and lorries being diverted around the closure through residential streets, bringing disruption during rush hour periods.

Business and retail traders have also been impacted by the closure.

Initial geological and ecological surveys have been completed and the project can proceed to the next stage, which involves seeking tenders for the work.

KCC has suggested either building a bridge or land embankment.

Once plans have been confirmed, KCC hopes to access the government's Structures Fund to pay for the project.

Dickson has been urging the government to start the £1bn bidding process.

Mallon said it has been a "long and slow process" but there was "movement".

"My preferred option is the bridge because it will be quicker," he added.

"It might cost a bit more in the long run but the process will be more efficient."

Mallon has helped secure an extension of a 20mph speed limit, enlarging parking bays into passing places and more double yellow lines to help keep traffic flowing and stop vehicles mounting narrow pavements.

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