People will be given the chance to have their say on plans to provide new public spaces and tackle some of Dartford town centre’s traffic issues during an upcoming month-long consultation.

Last year the council announced it had secured funding to create simplified road layouts, a new market square and to give a number of other public spaces a facelift.

Its bid had focussed on improving traffic flow, tackling congestion and creating a better environment for shoppers and visitors.

It is now revealing some of the options to the community and inviting residents to give their opinions and suggestions.

The consultation will include briefings for local businesses and a public exhibition in the town centre. The proposals will also be available online.

It kicks off with a briefing for local shops and traders co-hosted by the Dartford Town Team at Princes Park (Dartford Football Club) on Wednesday, February 28, with a public exhibition being held at the Orchards Shopping Centre from the Thursday, March 1, to Saturday, March 3.

Residents will be able to view the plans in detail and advisors will be on hand to answer any queries. Alongside the consultation, council representatives will also be on hand at a number of major town centre sites to answer residents’ questions.

Council leader Jeremy Kite said: “I’m very aware local people look at schemes and see some moving ahead quickly, some slowly and others might even appear to have stalled.

"People have every right to ask questions about them so I’ve asked officers to produce a straightforward update on projects like Lowfield Street, the new proposals for a cinema and NHS health centre, Market Street, the old GSK site, Acacia Hall and the final phases of the Central Park restoration.

“The truth is some of these projects are complex and more is going on behind the scenes than might first seem obvious but this update will at least set out the facts so that local people can be kept up to speed. We’ll also be answering some of the questions we often receive about what the impact of all the changes might mean for schools, health provision and other public services."

The exhibition will open in the Orchards Shopping Centre from 10am on Thursday, March 1, closing at 4pm on Saturday, March 3.