Dartford MP calls for KCC to fix Galley Hill Road
The Swanscombe road closure could be fixed by a government improvement scheme by 2030.
Jim Dickson, the Member of Parliament for Dartford, is advocating for urgent action to repair Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe, a main road that has been collapsed for three years, causing significant disruptions in the local community.
The government has allocated a £1 billion fund for distressed transport assets nationwide, with local councils required to submit bids to secure necessary funding.
Dickson is urging Kent County Council to prepare a compelling bid to access between £50 and £60 million needed for the road repair.
Speaking to us, he stressed the urgency of getting the bid right to "end the misery" Swanscombe residents have experienced.
"I'm in Swanscombe much of the time and I see the challenges that businesses faced.
"Smaller footfall, their regular customers no longer able to get to them and use their services.
"Whether it's hairdressing or dry cleaning or a dispatch rider's motorbike shop, which has suffered hugely. I've been able to help some of those businesses get business rate relief because of the difficulties they face.
"But it's not only business. It's also residents and pedestrians feeling threatened by large lorries booming down the narrow streets of Swanscombe, mounting pavements and putting them in danger. Crashing into cars, causing private cars damage...
"So it's really been a miserable time for Swanscombe residents.
"Which is why I as the local MP... I made it my number one priority to get money on the table to fix it.
"And I'm really glad that money's now there. So, we've really got to make sure the bid goes in, gets the money, and we can get spades in the ground...as soon as possible."
Kent County Council have released a statement saying that they would be bidding for the repairs, adding that it needed to be done and that they would be looking into the possibility of submitting a strong bid as soon as possible.
The timeline for bidding requires signals of intent by June 2026, and submission by August 2026, with funding allocation anticipated in the autumn.