The Minister was joined by the local MP for Dartford, Jim Dickson, MP for Gravesend, Dr Lauren Sullivan, and KCC representatives, including Neil Baker, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, who made it clear that the government’s financial support is critical to help KCC to reconnect the local community in Swanscombe with the surrounding areas.
Over the past 18 months, the local communities have experienced considerable disruption since the closure of the Galley Hill Road, including broadband outages, and damage to the road network due to aging utilities. While not connected to the landslide, KCC Highways has acted quickly to co-ordinate a resolution to these issues to make sure the additional disruption caused was minimised.
The Minister hears from representatives from KCC Highways about the complex issues at Galley Hill Road.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a quick-fix solution for the landslide, which not only has been technically complex, but has also involved numerous organisations and individuals, including landowners and utility companies.
KCC, as the highway authority, has taken a leading role in finding a solution to this complex and potentially expensive problem – however, this cannot be achieved by KCC alone, and financial support from government is essential for KCC to consider bringing the site back to a safe condition where possible.
As part of the ongoing investigations, KCC is looking into various design solutions and costs for potentially being able to reinstate the cliff which will be shared with the Minister where appropriate, with the request that KCC receives funding to help reconnect the community.
“...the Minister’s visit is reassuring that this issue is being taken seriously by government and we look forward to continuing conversations.”
Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, Neil Baker, said: “Residents are understandably frustrated by the continued closure of Galley Hill Road, as well as other utility outages and issues in the area not caused by the landslide that have disrupted their lives. We have kept the local community informed and have taken the lead for any additional issues that are not usually our responsibility to resolve them and make sure disruption is kept to a minimum.
‘Reinstating Galley Hill Road is a complex issue and there aren’t any quick fixes, but the Minister’s visit is reassuring that this issue is being taken seriously by government and we look forward to continuing conversations with them to make sure the Swanscombe community can be reconnected to the surrounding areas.”
KCC’s contractor has been on site carrying out investigations on the cliff face that will help inform the cause of the landslide and condition of the cliff. This will pave the way for considering appropriate road design options later this year.
For the latest on Galley Hill Road, visit: Galley Hill Road - Kent County Council
