Talks on landslip repair funding sought by council

The A226 requires major works at Galley Hill Road where the road collapsed in April 2023

A council is seeking talks with the government over funding to repair a landslip which closed a busy road two years ago.

Part of Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe requires major works following the collapse in April 2023.

The leader of Kent County Council (KCC), Roger Gough, has written to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to ask for a meeting to talk about "funding to continue to progress the required remedial works".

It comes ahead of a public meeting on Friday evening.

The area around the landslip remains fenced off with CCTV and diversions are still in place.

County councillor Thomas Mallon said: "We are now at the planning stage and when those plans are accepted, we'll send them out to tender to get an idea of price.

"We then need to go to the government to see how much of the bill they are prepared to foot, because KCC cannot afford it."

'Seeking a meeting'

The meeting is being held at the Heritage Community Hall, Craylands Lane, Swanscombe and the panel will include local MP Jim Dickson and representatives from KCC.

A KCC statement said: "We have kept Government briefed on the situation.

"Roger Gough has written to Angela Rayner and other government ministers and is seeking a meeting to discuss funding."