THE Tory MP for Tonbridge and Malling, Sir John Stanley, has called on Kent County Council to change its view on the Borough Green and Platt bypass.

Sir John said the council had been pessimistic in assessing the benefits the bypass would bring.

He stressed: "I find it quite extraordinary that the county council's present assumption is that traffic flows on the A25 Maidstone Road east of Borough Green would not be reduced by the construction of the Borough Green and Platt Sir John Stanley .

"For all of us who know the local road system intimately, this assumption seems to fly in the face of common sense."

Sir John indicated that KCC's support for the bypass on traffic and environmental grounds would strengthen its supporters' hand if the scheme went before a public inquiry.

He has written to KCC's cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Alex King (Con), drawing his attention to a consultant's report which questions KCC's position.

The report by WSP Development transport consultants was commissioned by local firm H+H Celcon Ltd, which has pledged to fund the £3million bypass if it receives planning permission to double the size of its concrete block-making plant, in Borough Green Road, Ightham.

Stuart Brittle, deputy managing director of H+H Celcon, told Sir John in a letter: "WSP feel that the county council has been rather pessimistic in its assessment of the traffic benefits for Borough Green which would result from a bypass."

He said that traffic was likely to be reduced by more than 3,000 vehicles a day, which is the figure predicted by KCC. Cllr King said: "Discussions with Celcon are continuing and I have asked for a meeting with them." The meeting is due to take place this Thursday (November 20).