A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme

Welcome to our second public consultation on the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme.

Blue Bell Hill is a section of dual carriageway which runs between Junction 3 of the M2 and Junction 6 of the M20. This section of road is a key link between the M2 and M20, and between Maidstone and Medway.

In 2020, we consulted on three possible options for improvements to Blue Bell Hill. More than 85% of respondents agreed that improvements were required and the feedback received has been used to develop the preferred scheme.

The preferred scheme aims to:

  • Help reduce congestion
  • Improve journey time reliability
  • Address road safety at Junction 3 of the M2 and Junction 6 of the M20
  • Improve the road’s capacity to accommodate an increase in future traffic
  • Provide suitable routes and facilities for public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists

Details of the preferred scheme proposals can be found in the Consultation Brochure and Scheme Plans, which are available from the Documents section on this webpage. The Consultation Brochure also includes information on the:

  • Scheme objectives
  • Need for the scheme
  • Progress since the 2020 consultation
  • Funding and timescales
  • Environmental considerations

A Quick Read Summary and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are also available from this webpage.


Have your say!

We would like to hear your views on the proposals for the preferred scheme. Your responses will help us develop the design of the scheme and planning application.

You can tell us your views by completing the online questionnaire.

If you cannot complete the online questionnaire, a Word version is available to download from this webpage, which you can complete and return either by email or post.

Consultation events

We will be holding in-person drop-in events during the consultation where you can view the proposals and put any questions to the project team. If you have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch and let us know in advance.

DateTimeLocation
Wednesday 5 February 3pm - 7pmHythe Suite, Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, ME5 9AX
Tuesday 11 February4pm to 8pmInspiration 1, The Village Hotel, Castle View, Forstal Road, Maidstone ME14 3AQ
Saturday 1 March12pm to 4pm Hythe Suite, Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, ME5 9AX


You can also visit our online Virtual Consultation Room where you can view the exhibition boards, a fly-through of the scheme, and a video showing future traffic simulations.


If you need any help taking part in this consultation or have any questions, please contact us via the contact details under the 'Who's listening' section on this webpage.

Next steps

Following this consultation, feedback will be reviewed and analysed. A Consultation Report will be produced summarising the consultation process and the findings. This is expected to be published in summer 2025 on this webpage.

The feedback will help the project team to develop the preferred scheme design with your views in mind. The design will also be refined using the traffic model that is being developed. The development work will be used to complete the funding application which will be submitted to the Department for Transport for approval.

If funding and planning permission are secured, construction of the scheme is expected to start in 2029 and would be completed by 2031, before the Lower Thames Crossing opens to traffic.

Welcome to our second public consultation on the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme.

Blue Bell Hill is a section of dual carriageway which runs between Junction 3 of the M2 and Junction 6 of the M20. This section of road is a key link between the M2 and M20, and between Maidstone and Medway.

In 2020, we consulted on three possible options for improvements to Blue Bell Hill. More than 85% of respondents agreed that improvements were required and the feedback received has been used to develop the preferred scheme.

The preferred scheme aims to:

  • Help reduce congestion
  • Improve journey time reliability
  • Address road safety at Junction 3 of the M2 and Junction 6 of the M20
  • Improve the road’s capacity to accommodate an increase in future traffic
  • Provide suitable routes and facilities for public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists

Details of the preferred scheme proposals can be found in the Consultation Brochure and Scheme Plans, which are available from the Documents section on this webpage. The Consultation Brochure also includes information on the:

  • Scheme objectives
  • Need for the scheme
  • Progress since the 2020 consultation
  • Funding and timescales
  • Environmental considerations

A Quick Read Summary and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are also available from this webpage.


Have your say!

We would like to hear your views on the proposals for the preferred scheme. Your responses will help us develop the design of the scheme and planning application.

You can tell us your views by completing the online questionnaire.

If you cannot complete the online questionnaire, a Word version is available to download from this webpage, which you can complete and return either by email or post.

Consultation events

We will be holding in-person drop-in events during the consultation where you can view the proposals and put any questions to the project team. If you have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch and let us know in advance.

DateTimeLocation
Wednesday 5 February 3pm - 7pmHythe Suite, Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, ME5 9AX
Tuesday 11 February4pm to 8pmInspiration 1, The Village Hotel, Castle View, Forstal Road, Maidstone ME14 3AQ
Saturday 1 March12pm to 4pm Hythe Suite, Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, ME5 9AX


You can also visit our online Virtual Consultation Room where you can view the exhibition boards, a fly-through of the scheme, and a video showing future traffic simulations.


If you need any help taking part in this consultation or have any questions, please contact us via the contact details under the 'Who's listening' section on this webpage.

Next steps

Following this consultation, feedback will be reviewed and analysed. A Consultation Report will be produced summarising the consultation process and the findings. This is expected to be published in summer 2025 on this webpage.

The feedback will help the project team to develop the preferred scheme design with your views in mind. The design will also be refined using the traffic model that is being developed. The development work will be used to complete the funding application which will be submitted to the Department for Transport for approval.

If funding and planning permission are secured, construction of the scheme is expected to start in 2029 and would be completed by 2031, before the Lower Thames Crossing opens to traffic.

  • Have your say!

    We would like to hear your views on the preferred scheme for the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme. Your responses will help us develop the design of the scheme. 

    We have provided this questionnaire for you to give your comments. The questionnaire is split into four sections: 

    • Section 1 – About you                                                
    • Section 2 – The preferred scheme                               
    • Section 3 – Equality analysis                                         
    • Section 4 – More about you                                          


    We recommend you read the consultation brochure before responding to this questionnaire.

    You can answer all or as many of the questions as you like. If you would rather not provide feedback on a section or question, just move on to the next one.

    In line with other local authorities and government departments, we ask people to register to take part in some activities. We do this to protect the integrity of our consultations from individuals and groups who may attempt to unduly influence the outcomes of the consultation process and to give people the opportunity to choose to be kept informed. 

    As with all our consultations a Word version of the questionnaire is available from the consultation webpage for people who would prefer not to complete the online version. 


    Complete questionnaire