RESIDENTS at Leybourne, near West Malling, are to a final chance to have their say on the route of a bypass through the village later this month. Kent County Council's planning committee will be at Leybourne Village Hall on Monday, January 28, to listen to villagers' concerns before they make a decision on the Orange Route bypass.

Parish councillors have labelled it a "crunch time" meeting - the final say on whether the bypass can go ahead is expected to be made in March or April. The road, which runs behind Castle Way from the M20 to the West Malling bypass, has been controversial for residents since it was first announced, in 1991.

In the latest design, the A20 London Road will be changed to a fly-over and a roundabout built at the Birling end of Park Road.

Cllr Gordon Brown, chairman of Leybourne Parish Council, said: "We want a good turnout at this meeting because this is the last chance people will have to say something before KCC make a decision."

The meeting starts at 7.30pm in Leybourne Village Hall, Little Market Row.