I met with the National Highways project team responsible for planning road upgrades on Friday.
At a five hour marathon session, I pressed for urgent improvements to be made to Whitfield roundabout, problems with the TAP system to be tackled and for the much needed A2 dualling to go ahead as soon as possible. Also attending the meeting was Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council, Cllrs Martin Bates and Nigel Collor along with officials from the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel as well as Dover and Kent County Councils.
At the meeting, I explained the impact of the TAP system on residents of Aycliffe.
The meeting was followed by a visit to the Whitfield Roundabout where the I pointed out how overloaded the roundabout now is, as well as the improvements that could make a real difference. Cllr Bartlett pressed the case for proposals the Council have put forward to improve the Whitfield roundabout.
Resilient roads are vital not just for Dover but for the whole nation as such a large amount of UK trade rolls through our port.
That’s why we need to see the A2 dualling progressed at pace as well as improvements to Whitfield roundabout. With the roundabout now overloaded, Whitfield residents report delays in getting around – this is unacceptable and underlines the need for improvements.
Residents of Aycliffe tell me they often find it hard to sleep at night because of the TAP system. I explained at the meeting that changes to tackle the problems with the TAP system are needed.
These are big roads projects. Big projects inevitably take a long time and can have many twists and turns. I’m determined to keep making our community’s case for road improvements and investment in our future here in Dover and Deal.
Cllr Trevor Bartlett said
“It is so important to see improvements to our road network in Dover. It will help us continue with our plans for housing and improve our local routes for trade.
“The Council have been hard at work developing proposals to improve Whitfield roundabout. We will continue to argue for vital upgrades to be made to the Roundabout.”