Dualling of the A21

Opened the debate

The MP highlighted the critical condition of the A21, a strategic road connecting East Sussex's coastal communities to London and key economic centres. He emphasised that south of Pembury, the single-carriageway section fails to meet traffic demands, leading to safety concerns, environmental issues, and socio-economic challenges for local residents. Dr Mullan cited examples such as the primary school in Hurst Green being directly on the A21, posing daily risks to children's safety during commuting hours. He also mentioned that rural single-carriageway A roads account for more than half of all fatal and serious collisions despite carrying less traffic overall. Since 2020, £20 million has been invested in improving safety measures but these are seen as short-term fixes rather than addressing the root issue. Dr Mullan argued that dualling the road would improve reliability, reduce vulnerability to incidents, enhance economic growth opportunities, and improve health and well-being for residents living along it.

Government Response

The Minister acknowledged the critical importance of the A21 and committed to prioritising safety measures. He noted that while there are no current plans to dual the remaining single-carriageway stretches, National Highways will continue assessing the performance of the route through their routine processes. The Government's third road investment strategy (RIS3) includes a £27 billion commitment for operating and improving England’s strategic road network over five years. Specific mention was made regarding Kippings Cross roundabout as one of the main pinch points, currently under consideration for improvement. Minister Lightwood committed to engaging with MPs and National Highways to further advocate for improvements while emphasising that dualling would be costly and challenging due to environmental factors and local topography.