Kent Strategic Congestion Management Programme

This programme delivers improvements to maximise the efficiency of the local highway network, as traffic levels increase in line with housing and employment site development.

About the programme

The Kent Strategic Congestion Management programme (KSCMP) strategy incorporates and assesses areas or road links that suffer from congestion and unreliability. The strategy uses criteria to score road links, which are then assessed in more detail to establish a solution.

The objectives of this programme are to:

  • alleviate congestion by allowing better flow of traffic
  • support economic development in Kent through improved journey time reliability
  • promote accessibility to jobs and services for all
  • provide a resilient network that is able to respond to disruption and incidents
  • improve air quality at congested sites.

Scheme costs

The KSCMP is a £4.8 million programme to be delivered between the financial years of 2015/16 and 2020/21. The scheme is funded by the Local Growth Fund, provided by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Formal decisions

Schemes have been brought forward for funding approval by SELEP on an annual basis since 2015/16, with the latest schemes receiving funding approval in April 2019.

Schemes of the programme

2042/A2070 roundabout, Kingsnorth, Ashford junction improvements

The incorporation of a Dutch-style 'Flemish Roundabout', which will double capacity for particular junction arms relieving congestion and the likelihood of accidents.

Dover Traffic Assessment Project (TAP) congestion strategy implementation

A temporary traffic management system which queues port-bound lorries in the nearside lane of the A20 after the Roundhill Tunnel to prevent Dover becoming congested with traffic. This scheme will deliver a package of improvements to help reduce the impact of TAP including improvements to traffic signal operations through linking key junctions, introduction of new intelligent transportation systems technologies and bus priority measures which will link to a future rapid bus transport scheme.

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) trial scheme

A trial scheme to help and direct heavy goods vehicles to use the most suitable routes, and reduce the congestion and minimise the worst environmental and social effects of HGV movements. The scheme will be carried out whilst recognising the need for effective and efficient transport links.

INRIX

The implementation of software that will provide technical analysis, charts, tables and visualisations of collated traffic data for urban roads. The software will help to improve our understanding of how the network operates, monitoring of network performance and ability to identify and prioritise congestion hotspots where appropriate measures can be considered and implemented.

MOVA implementation

This scheme involves upgrading traffic signals at specific existing signalised junctions in Thanet and Tunbridge Wells to MOVA junction control. The MOVA system adjusts the timing of the signals automatically based on the queue length on different arms of the junction using live traffic flow data helping to improve the efficiency of the junctions and journey time reliability.

Swanley Station congestion relief

The creation of a new one-way system which will improve congestion and journey times to and from the station as well as on the surrounding road network in Swanley. The improvements also include walking and cycling enhancements to promote a more attractive route for active mode users.

Dover Traffic Assessment Project (TAP)

This scheme conducted an assessment of the impact of TAP on the local road network. Specific measures include improvements to traffic signals and road markings.

Elwick Road/A2042 junction, Ashford

This scheme consisted of improvements to increase junction capacity, improve safety and help unlock growth in the town centre and area surrounding Ashford International Station.

A225 Princes Road/ Darenth Road hotspot

This scheme implemented junction improvements including the upgrading traffic signals, updating the bus priority system and implementing pedestrian crossing facilities.

A2500 Lower Road/ Barton Hill Drive junction

This scheme introduced a signal junction configuration to improve traffic flow at the A2500 Lower Road/ Barton Hill Drive junction.

EU Connected Corridor (part two)

The EU Connected Corridor extension integrated the project into the Kent road network by extending the project onto the A229 which connects the M20 and M2 motorways. This formed a key corridor in the event of a major disruption on the strategic road network. Increasing automation will increase efficiency, reduce crashes and reduce congestion.

A292 junction improvements

This A292 junction improvements delivered junction improvements to the A292 Mace Lane/ Wellesley Road junction and Somerset Road/ Canterbury Lane junction to increase capacity and reduce congestion on the A292, a main route for access into Ashford.

EU Connected Corridor (part one)

This is a European project to introduce a Connected Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) corridor from London to the Port of Dover via the M2 and A2.

Highways management centre and technology refresh

The refresh introduced improvements to the database management, CCTV and network coverage of Variable Message Signs (VMS) to improve traffic management and the effectiveness of the highways management centre.

Contact us

For more information on the Kent Strategic Congestion Management Programme, please call 03000 418181.

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