PUBLIC INQUIRY
A2/A282 Improvements

10.00am Tuesday 3^rd February 2004
until
12:00am Thursday 12^th February 2004

Leigh City College (W) - Green St Green Road – Dartford

 Inspector - C J Tipping
Assisted by C Tyrrell

This scheme, estimated to cost £60.1M includes proposals to widen the A2 between M25 and the Bean west-facing slip roads to dual four lanes.  At present the A2 will remain dual 3 lanes underneath Bean Lane Bridge.

Bean Residents Association, Kent County Council and Dartford Borough Council objected to the exclusion from the scheme of measures to remedy the problems for residents and drivers at peak times in Bean, caused by the inadequate capacity of the roads scheme accepted after a previous inquiry and planning application for Bluewater.

The Association questioned Highways Agency witnesses on 3rd and 4th February on matters including Engineering, Traffic, Noise and Pollution.

Dartford Borough Council asked for their objection to be held over to 11 February 2004.  Bean Residents association presented their Proof of Evidence on the morning of Thursday 5 February.

 On Wednesday 11 February,  Dartford Borough Council announced that they and Kent County Council, had been unable to reach agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding sent to them by the Highways Agency, aimed at overcoming problems at Bean.  Dartford decided to rely on a Written Submission. KCC also wrote, asking the Inspector to give further consideration to Bean.

 The Inspector and other interested Parties visited Bean on 11 February 2004.

 A Closing Submission was made by Bean Residents Association on 12  February, followed by a Closing Submission by the Highways Agency.

The Inspectors report and  Decision from the Minister of Transport are expected to be issued before the end of 2004.

The support of local residents who attended the Inquiry is acknowledged.

Email: beanra@waitrose.com
Web: www.beanvillage.org.uk