by political editor Paul Francis

Long-standing plans to dual the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury would represent good value for money and would benefit motorists and businesses, a report says.

The plans are in limbo until 2015 after the coalition government shelved dozens of road schemes as part of budget cuts.

But the RAC Foundation, which conducts research into road schemes, says the plan - initially costed at £111m - is one of 96 unfunded projects that should go ahead to boost economic growth and jobs.

The news will come as a fillip to the scheme’s supporters after the Department for Transport effectively kicked it into the long grass last year.

The dualling of the road is aimed at easing congestion along one of the south east’s most notorious bottlenecks. The stretch of road carries an estimated 40,000 vehicles a day.

The RAC’s report, ‘Keeping The Nation Moving’ says it estimates that building the dual carriageway would give a return of £11 for every £1 spent - making it the scheme offering best value for money of any yet to be built.

Report author Professor Stephen Glaister said: "The government talks about promoting growth, so why doesn’t it dust down its own files and make best use of taxpayers’ money by spending it on the 96 road schemes it has already judged to deliver fantastic returns?

"The currently unfunded schemes we have identified seem to tick all the right boxes yet government are turning a blind eye to them."

Kent County Council road chiefs welcomed the report. It has worked up an alternative ‘no frills’ scheme that would cost even less at about £70m.