A council has asked for more time to determine how to spend cash for a multi-million pound government-funded infrastructure project.

Medway Council is currently assessing how to use a £170 million investment from the government's Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) on new road and train links on the Hoo Peninsula.

The authority has made an agreement with Homes England to extend the infrastructure programme by a year running up until March 2025.

The delivery of around 12,000 new homes will run up until 2043.

Cabinet members will be asked to agree the extension during their next meeting on Tuesday, September 28.

They will also be asked to agree the terms of how the council will acquire land associated with the HIF development.

The authority recently published results of a consultation on its initial plans on how it would spend the money.

Proposals included a raft of highways alterations and a new £63 million railway station at Sharnal Street connecting Hoo with London

A second round of consultation lasting six weeks is due to commence in November.

Leader of the council, Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con) said: “I can confirm that the cabinet is now considering an extension and a decision will be made at our September 28 meeting.

“When Medway Council originally submitted its expression of interest in September 2017, our original proposed end date for the project was March 2024, but due to the scheme’s complexity the project agreement was not finalised until summer 2020.

“The additional time would build on the excellent progress on the environment, rail and road elements of the HIF and ensure the HIF programme delivers the most sustainable future for Hoo.

"The team would be able to demonstrate in detail to the residents on the peninsula that their views have been listened to, and that the HIF supports the heritage, culture and communities in this important part of Medway.”

The council's funding request for the infrastructure works was granted by the government in November 2019.

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway