The body overseeing regeneration in the Kent stretch of the Thames Gateway has removed a big obstacle to Land Securities鈥� scheme for the single largest development in the region.

The Kent Thames-side delivery board has produced a funding package, to be financed by a 鈥渞oof tax鈥�, to tackle the traffic problems in the area surrounding the Eastern Quarry scheme at Ebbsfleet.

The Highways Agency had threatened to stop Land Securities from starting work on the scheme because of concerns about the extra congestion it would generate on roads such as the M25 and the A2.

The firm secured outline planning permission for the development last year. It involves building 6250 homes.

Government officials have now told Michael Ward, the delivery board鈥檚 director, that in view of this package, agreed at the board鈥檚 most recent meeting, the Highways Agency will not take action. The package includes a mix of measures to expand the capacity of the local road network and to improve the management of existing traffic.