THE building of the Leybourne and West Malling bypass will be delayed by a public inquiry, it was announced today.

Only a week ago, the Government said the Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling, had decided not to hold an inquiry into the scheme following outstanding objections by West Malling Parish Council over access roads to and from the bypass.

But objections received in writing by West Malling Parish Council proved strong enough to change Mr Darling’s mind.

The parish council believes there are too many traffic lights along the route which will encourage rat running through nearby villages. But Kent County Council is dismayed by the decision, which it says will hold up the long-awaited upgrading of the A228 and require it to spend taxpayers’ money on legal fees.

Cllr Grahame Weston (Con), KCC’s cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “For the people of Leybourne particularly who suffer daily the effects of heavy traffic, it must be very disheartening that the Secretary of State has changed his mind and the long-awaited improvements will now be further delayed.”