Maidstone is at risk of losing millions of pounds of Government grants allocated for key highways improvements.

KCC had secured a promise of £8.9m from South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) to part-fund improvements to five key junction projects identified in the Maidstone Integrated Transport Strategy. The total cost of the schemes was expected to be £14.24m with the balance coming from Section 106 developer contributions.

But stunned members of Maidstone council's Strategic Planning and Sustainable Transportation committee heard that the business cases for each improvement which SELEP required to be submitted by November 16 had yet to be completed and that even if the deadline were met, it was unlikely that all the schemes would be implemented by March of 2021 which was the date by which the money had to be spent.

At present the business plans are in place for only £4m of the works, leaving £4.9m at "immediate risk."

Cllr Martin Cox (Lib Dem) said the situation was worse than that, because there was a risk that the developer's section 106 contributions would have to be returned if the junction improvements did not go ahead.

Members were dismayed that so little progress had been made since the improvements had been agreed by a unanimous vote of both KCC and MBC councillors on the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board back in December 2015.

Cllr David Burton (Con) said: "Having sat on the money since 2015, we are at a point where Maidstone may not see the benefit."

Maidstone's director of regeneration, William Cornall, said that although "the doorway was always open between the officers of the two authorities" it was up to the highways authority - KCC - to submit the business plans.

Asked whether there was any possibility that the business cases could be submitted in time, Mr Cornall said: "It seems unlikely."

Cllr Brian Clark (Lib Dem) said: “Time and time again I attempted to place this urgent work on the agenda for the Joint Transport Board, but the last two meetings were cancelled because we were told there was 'insufficient business to discuss'.

"I find it absolutely disgraceful that we could now lose £4.9m which would ease traffic congestion in Maidstone to another authority."

The five junction schemes intended for improvement are:

• The A274 Sutton Road junction with Willington Street

• The A20 Coldharbour Roundabout

• The junction where the B2246 Hermitage Lane, Heath Road and St Andrew's Road meet and also the A26 Tonbridge Road junction with Fountain Lane

• Three junctions along the A229, at Cripple Street, Armstrong Road and Sutton Road

• The A20 Ashford Road junction with Willington Street

The Maidstone Integrated Transport Strategy was a key mitigation measure taken into consideration by the Local Plan inspector when he approved the town's large housing expansion.

When contacted by the Kent Messenger, a spokesman for KCC was more upbeat. He said: "The business cases remain on track for the deadline of November 16.

“The Maidstone Integrated Transport Package continues to be developed with a programmed delivery by the 2021 - the SELEP deadline date.

“All infrastructure projects come with an element of risk, but Kent County Council officers are working hard to mitigate these and to continue to deliver on schedule.”