Construction of a new dedicated bus lane for Fastrack to provide fast, reliable and efficient transport across Kent Thameside is set to begin.
Kent County Council (KCC) has appointed Jacksons as the contractor, which will start on site this week with completion expected in December 2023.
The Bath Street scheme will be fully funded by a grant from Ebbsfleet Development Corporation. This funding has enabled the award of the construction contract for £2 million and the scheme will be delivered by KCC.
The bus lane will connect to West Street to the north and the new Bus Hub on Garrick Street to the south via New Road.
Both existing northbound traffic lanes, plus the existing southbound taxi lane will stay with minor changes to the kerb alignment. The existing toucan crossing will be upgraded to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier said: “The Bath Street Fastrack bus lane will improve Fastrack user journey times.
“It will also enable additional bus stops to service existing residents and those from new developments, further encouraging uptake by Gravesend residents.
“I am pleased work will now begin which will help us move to a fully integrated sustainable Fastrack network, making public transport a real alternative to private cars for many people around the town.”
Ian Piper, Chief Executive of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation said: ‘Fastrack is an integral and essential part of regeneration in the area, as well as a fantastic opportunity to progress our ambitions to achieve high quality, rapid and sustainable transport in and around Ebbsfleet. The Bath Street scheme will help improve users’ journey times and reduce congestion on local routes. We envision Fastrack soon becoming the transport mode of choice for local journeys for new and existing communities in Dartford, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet and Gravesend, and look forward to this project’s completion later this year’.