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Work is set to begin on a major project to redevelop part of Dartford town centre.
The Brewery Square redevelopment scheme, principally designed to reduce congestion caused by the 'Iceland' short stay car park in Dartford, will kick off on Monday, July 1.
The scheme will replace the existing car park with a larger one close to the Acacia Hall grounds, behind the Dartford library, and create a new public space in the heart of the town.
It is expected to improve traffic flow with a simplified road layout once completed.
Once opened, the new car park will offer direct access for vehicles through the existing Overy Liberty entrance and new pedestrian gates will lead straight on to Brewery Square.
The work has been timed to take place alongside the redevelopment of Lowfield Street and is scheduled to finish by Summer 2020.
Keith Longley, the project manager in charge of the project, said: “We know that a short stay car park close to the town centre is very popular so we will be creating a new one just yards away. We initially hoped we could redesign the existing Iceland car park but every potential design either failed to reduce congestion or proved impractical on safety grounds. Sadly, we can’t provide the new car park until the first phase of Brewery Square is complete so we are providing as much on-street parking as possible and asking town centre visitors to use other shopping centre and council car parks around the town until we can get the new car park open. We appreciate the loss of car parking spaces during construction will be inconvenient for shoppers and businesses but we will be working hard to ensure the new car park is operational by Spring 2020."
The work will also mean disruption for some London- bound bus passengers as Transport for London (TfL) bus stops have been relocated from Market Street to Home Gardens as part of the project. Existing bus stops in Market Street will close on July 1.
Council Leader Jeremy Kite said: “I’m afraid that any change to road layouts will mean some inconvenience during construction but Dartford must take action to tackle some of the congestion and air-quality issues we have in the town centre. It’s the ideal time to do it because it coincides with work on Lowfield Street and means we can minimise the time the town faces disruption.
“By next Summer, the town will have a much cleaner, safer and simplified road layout as well as a much more attractive public space at the heart of the town. Attention will then turn to improving the High Street and the creation of a traditional market-town environment for shoppers, diners and visitors.”
Local bus services provided by Arriva and Go-Coach will remain largely unaltered although buses will now stop around the corner in Lowfield Street rather than in the new Brewery Square. Existing stops for local services at Holy Trinity Church will not be changed.
Mr Longley said: “It makes sense to locate town centre TfL bus stops in a single place and for them to link with Dartford rail station and Fastrack services. The removal of London-bound buses from Market Street will cut town centre congestion and significantly improve the environment for town visitors. The new arrangements will be safer, cleaner and less confusing. We appreciate it does mean a change in routine for some passengers but we’re sure the new arrangements will soon become familiar.”
Market Street will remain open throughout the construction period although a number of temporary weekend closures are anticipated when contractors have no practical or safe alternative. These closures will be clearly advertised. Access to Central Park, the Library, the museum and memorial gardens will be unaffected and all town centre and park events will proceed as normal.
