MP criticises SEEDA over KIG Development

Hugh Robertson, the MP for Mid Kent, has criticised the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) over their backing for the Kent International Gateway development proposal.

The development does not have the support of any locally elected representative at Parliamentary, county, borough or parish level but has been backed by the unelected regional authority.

Hugh’s comments follow an exchange of correspondence with the Chief Executive of SEEDA, Mrs Pam Alexander. She said that SEEDA had backed the plan because:

i) The South East lacked a rail freight interchange.
ii) It would produce economic benefits.
iii) The location was close to the motorway and railway lines and not in a green belt.

Hugh Robertson replied:

“I am extremely disappointed with SEEDA’s response. It is worth remembering that nobody in Kent has voted for it but they have the power to back a proposal that threatens to blight a huge area of eastern Maidstone.

In my view, the economic arguments are unproven and it is very much open to question whether Junction 8 is the best location for a rail freight interchange.

I strongly suspect that SEEDA has simply done the government’s bidding rather than examining whether this is to Kent’s, or Maidstone’s, benefit.”