I am a resident of Kent, and like many others, I am increasingly concerned about the rapid pace of housing developments in our area. Our roads are congested, our schools are oversubscribed and access to healthcare is becoming impossible. We need an immediate halt to new housing developments until we can ensure adequate infrastructure and public services for all.

Kent's road networks are already overloaded. The Department for Transport reported that traffic levels in the South East were 17% above the national average in 2019 (Department for Transport) and the last 5 years of mass development has made this worse. This congestion not only affects our daily lives but also contributes significantly to air pollution.

Our local primary and secondary schools are oversubscribed as well. According to Ofsted data from 2020, over half of Kent's primary schools were at or over capacity (Ofsted). This overcrowding hampers teachers' ability to provide quality education and limits children's opportunities for growth.

Our coastlines are being polluted by Water companies due to the lack of investment over many decades, so the existing waste water treatment systems are pumping more and more waste directly into the sea and rivers we wish to enjoy recreationally.

Moreover, there is a severe lack of healthcare facilities available. The British Medical Association reported that GP surgeries in Kent had one of the highest patient-to-doctor ratios in England last year (British Medical Association). Additionally, NHS data shows that hospital bed occupancy rates regularly exceed safe limits during peak times (NHS).

We cannot continue this unsustainable growth without addressing these critical issues first. We demand an immediate halt on new housing development until sufficient infrastructure improvements have been made.

Please sign this petition if you believe that everyone should have access to decent public services and regain a good quality life here in Kent.