CIVIC leaders have welcomed news that the Government has pledged £29 million to build the ‘missing link’ in Sittingbourne’s Northern Relief Road.

The scheme was one of only three nationally to receive government funding in last the Government's latest transport announcement.

Swale Borough Council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles said: “This is excellent news and a major milestone and achievement for Swale Forward and its partners.

“It provides the trigger for the development and delivery of a number of key initatives that will bring lasting improvements for communities across Swale.”

A developer-funded phase is already being built between the A249 and Ridham Avenue roundabout at Kemsley which is due for completion in January.

The final 1.5 km link - just under a mile - will run from Ridham Avenue roundabout to a Castle Road roundabout and will include two bridges.

Once the road is finished, it will provide better access for employment areas, open up new housing , business and environmental sites, and relieve traffic congestion. It will also help give greater scope for regenerating the town centre.

Kent County Council, which made the succcessful bid to the Government, has put forward detailed plans which include an 118-metre span bridge to take the road over Milton Creek and a 40-metre single span across Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway.

Work could start on the Milton Creek bridge next autumn and the main road in 2006.

Swale council’s Local Plan envisages the relief road eventually linking up with the A2 at Bapchild, but KCC has misgivings about the proposal.

County councillor Alex King, cabinet member of regeneration, said: “These are exciting times for Sittingbourne and Swale. The northern relief road has been identified as a hugely important project in the area’s regeneration.

“We shall be working closely with our partners at Swale council and Swale Forward to ensure the area is primed for redevelopment.”

Greg McDonald, chief executive of the Swale Forward organisation in charge of local regeneration, also attended the launch at Castle Road.

Local MP Derek Wyatt, who welcomed the news, said the road would enable developers Hammerson’s to bring forward their plans for the town centre, the railway station area, part of the Eurolink industrial estate and Milton Creek.