A funding decision to rebuild a road devastated by a huge landslip more than three years ago is imminent, according to official papers.
The A226 Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe has been shut since April 2023, when the chalk cliff collapsed on to a neighbouring industrial estate following a burst water main. Its closure has also left many residents and businesses frustrated with long detours in place.
Since then, efforts have been made to find a solution, the cost of which Kent County Council (KCC) previously estimated as being in excess of £40m.
Two possible options to reinstate the damaged section of the A226 have been suggested – reconstruction of the road at ground level or building a bridge across the affected area. The bridge option is estimated to be quicker and cheaper, but it is thought the work would probably take three years to complete.
Following a meeting of the growth, environment and transport cabinet committee on Tuesday 10th November 2025, Labour MP Jim Dickson said the council seemed to be “anticipating good news” regarding the outcome. Earlier this year, KCC applied for £40.8m in funding through the Department for Transport’s Structures Fund, which will be match-funded with £3m by the council itself and £1.5m from the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the papers presented at the committee meeting stated that “an announcement on this is expected imminently”.
