Decision details

Proposed decision

To progress the A226 Galley Hill scheme through the next stages of development to detailed design, including required surveys and public engagement

Reason for the decision

The A226 Galley Hill collapse on 10 April 2023 caused significant damage to the highway and utility infrastructure, which must continue to be addressed.

Given the scale and unprecedented nature of the collapse, KCC has used its existing statutory powers to secure the site, protect public safety and carry out urgent investigations into the cause and extent of the failure.

As the scheme moves beyond investigation and feasibility, further work now requires formal governance approval for oversight, funding authorisation and compliance.

This decision seeks approval to progress the A226 Galley Hill scheme through the next phase of project development only, up to and including detailed design. Specifically to:

-      Progress the scheme from feasibility into detailed design

-      Undertake public engagement

-      Delegate authority to officers to make further technical and procedural decisions required to complete the detailed design stage

This decision does not approve construction or commit funding for delivery of the scheme. A separate future key decision will be required to approve the next phase

Background

The A226 Galley Hill is a key route between Dartford, Gravesham and Ebbsfleet, forming part of the Kent Resilient Network and supporting Ebbsfleet Garden City growth. In April 2023, a section of the chalk spine north of Galley Hill collapsed, triggering a landslide that destroyed part of the carriageway and footway and damaged buried utilities. The route has remained closed since.

As the local highway authority, KCC has led the response, working with specialist consultants to investigate the failure and develop reinstatement options.

The closure continues to affect the wider network, with diverted traffic (including HGVs) using less suitable local roads and disruption to public transport, and it undermines planned housing and employment growth in Ebbsfleet and Northfleet. Reopening the route is therefore critical to network resilience, sustainable transport and future development.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

Option 1 – Completely pause all project development work until funding is secured

·   KCC would be disadvantaged against other funding bids as our existing design is not developed enough to secure funding through the Department for Transport or other national funding streams. Delay at this stage would continue to cause significant congestion and have a significant impact on the surrounding highway network, with diverted traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, using less suitable local routes.

Option 2 – Completely stop the scheme to reinstate the A226 Galley Hill

·   Separate legal advice concluded that stopping up of this route would have significant ramifications. Modelling work on this scenario also shows current and future significant congestion completely curtailing all growth across the Ebbsfleet area.

How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement

·   Supports the Council’s “Infrastructure First” approach by reinstating a key east–west route to enable planned housing and employment growth.

·   Improves connectivity and network resilience by reducing congestion, improving journey-time reliability, and restoring bus/Fastrack services.

·   Boosts economic growth and quality of life by improving access for communities and businesses and providing certainty for investment and development.

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport I agree to:

I.        Progress the design through the next stages of development up to and including detailed design including any survey works.

II.       Give approval to carry out public engagement on the proposed scheme.

III.      Give approval to prepare and submit funding bids (including to the Structures Fund or successor programmes) to support the detailed design and development stage of the scheme.

IV.      Give approval for any further decisions required to allow the scheme to proceed through to and including detailed design to be taken by the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment & Transport under the Officer Scheme of Delegations.