Homes England backs Canterbury relief route with £48.5m deal as planning permission deadline looms
A key funding agreement has removed the final financial hurdle for the A28 Sturry Link Road. Homes England is providing £48.5 million to complete the project that promises to tackle one of Kent’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks.
The Numbers Behind the Deal
Kent County Council secured the Homes England funding through the Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund in March 2026, covering what officials describe as the “full funding gap” for the scheme. The total project cost has risen to £53.9 million – including £47.5 million for core construction and £6.4 million for risk and contingency.
A hefty increase from earlier estimates of £29.6 million when the South East Local Enterprise Partnership first allocated £5.9 million from the Local Growth Fund. But the Homes England deal means Kent County Council won’t need forward funding – even whilst waiting for developer contributions to materialise.
Why This Road Matters Now
The A28 through Sturry carries about 20,000 vehicles daily. Yet the level crossing can shut for up to 20 minutes each peak hour when six trains pass through.
Those familiar with the route know the resulting queues stretch back through Canterbury’s approaches. VolkerFitzpatrick, the main contractor, is building a 550-metre relief road including a 250-metre viaduct spanning the Great Stour and the Ashford-Ramsgate railway line. The five-span structure features a 56-metre main span – no small engineering feat for a relatively short bypass. But there’s urgency beyond traffic flow.
Planning permission expires in September 2026.
The Housing Connection
This isn’t just about existing traffic. The link road is designed to unlock more than 6,000 planned homes at Sturry, Hersden and Herne Bay identified in Canterbury’s Local Plan. Contractor documentation suggests the improved network could eventually support over 16,000 homes across the wider area.
Without the relief route, officials argue these housing allocations would remain constrained by the level crossing bottleneck. Can Canterbury meet its housing targets whilst that pinch-point persists? Doubtful.
Beyond Cars and Lorries
The scheme includes a dedicated southbound bus lane towards Canterbury, shared footway and cycleway, plus new pedestrian crossings. These features aim to encourage alternatives to private car use. Whether they’ll offset increased traffic from thousands of new homes – well, that remains to be seen.
Construction should complete by winter 2026/27, subject to delivery progress and the essential developer-funded spine road connecting the bridge to the A291.
Key Takeaways
- Homes England’s £48.5m funding deal removes financial barriers for the A28 Sturry Link Road
- The scheme will bypass a level crossing that closes for 20 minutes per peak hour, affecting 20,000 daily vehicles
- Planning permission expires September 2026, creating urgency to start construction
What This Means for Kent Residents
Daily commuters through Sturry can expect significant improvements to journey reliability once the viaduct opens – potentially ending decades of frustration with level crossing delays. The project should also unlock thousands of new homes in the Canterbury area, though this will bring additional traffic to balance against the relief provided. And bus users may benefit from dedicated lanes and improved services, whilst cyclists and pedestrians gain safer crossing points and dedicated routes along the new link.
Major funding boost secures progress on £53.9m Sturry Link Road Quiz
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