VolkerFitzpatrick is continuing to progress works on a £61M infrastructure scheme designed to ease congestion and improve journey times in Canterbury, Kent.

The Sturry Link Road scheme (rendered image above), on behalf of Kent County Council (KCC), began in April and will create a new route between the A28 and the A291 at Sturry, bypassing the heavily congested Sturry Level Crossing and the busy Island Road junction.

The project includes the construction of a new viaduct spanning the River Stour, its floodplain and the railway line. It also features new roundabouts at either end, connecting to a future east–west route north of the railway that will link Sturry Hill and Shalloak Road.

In March, KCC secured £48.5M in funding from Homes England to support delivery of the project and representatives from KCC visited the site yesterday (28 May) to view progress, alongside the VolkerFitzpatrick project team.

VolkerFitzpatrick senior project manager Andrew Avery said: “We are delighted that construction has begun on this vital scheme. The new route will ease congestion at the level crossing, improve journeys and unlock growth for local communities.

“Working in partnership with Kent County Council, we’re proud to be delivering long-term infrastructure that will make a real difference across the region.”

VolkerFitzpatrick staff met with representatives of Kent County Council at the site of the Sturry Link Road scheme.

KCC cabinet member for highways and transport Peter Osborne said: “This is a major investment for the area, and the support from Homes England is vital in helping us deliver the infrastructure needed to unlock new homes, support local businesses and improve everyday journeys.

“It’s great to see work progressing well on the Sturry Link Road, which will make a real difference to people who regularly experience delays at the level crossing.”

Once complete, the wider Sturry Relief Road will address long-standing congestion issues in the area, where traffic on the A28 is frequently delayed by the level crossing. The new route will provide an alternative option for road users, reducing queues, improving journey reliability and enhancing access to Sturry railway station.

The project also incorporates features to support sustainable travel and safety, including a shared footway and cycleway, a dedicated southbound bus lane towards Canterbury, new pedestrian crossing points and road lighting along the route.

In addition to improving transport connections, the scheme will support planned housing growth in Sturry and Broad Oak.

Pauline Schaffer, Homes England director of housing and infrastructure grant funding, said: “It’s great to see progress on the Sturry Link Road, and we look forward to continuing to support KCC to achieve its ambitions.”

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