Plans to create a multi-million pound bus interchange in Gravesham will be scrutinised by councillors in four weeks' time.

Kent County Council (KCC) continues to spearhead a £4.1million project to build a major transport hub in Gravesend town centre.

The latest plan shows that four new bus stops will be created on Barrack Row while improvements will also be made to three bus stops near Tesco Metro in Garrick Street for Arriva's Fastrack and Sapphire services.

Gravesham council cabinet member for strategic environment, Cllr Brian Sangha (Lab), who represents the Pelham area, said: "Promoting greater use of public transport is a key aim of ours, linked as it is with our commitment to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030."

He added: "To achieve that aim we need people to leave the car at home and that will only happen if they have a fast, efficient and attractive public transport alternative to use."

Councillors will meet to discuss Maidstone County Hall's proposal next month before a key decision is made by KCC highways boss, Cllr Michael Payne (Con).

KCC highways team has said the bus hub will improve travel connections to Gravesend Railway Station and town centre shops in the heart of the borough.

Under the plans, Barrack Row will be restricted to buses only, more pedestrian crossings will be installed and a new electric bus charging point provided.

If approved next month, construction works could start at the end of this year and it is hoped the redevelopment will be completed by December 2021.

Cllr Ian Chittenden, KCC's Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, has said schemes like this will be needed to "persuade" people to get back on public transport after the pandemic.

He added: "The government has been sitting on the fence over trains and buses because we are all worried about keeping a safe distance.

"Until Covid is sorted out, we have to be careful but in the long-term interchanges will be play a crucial role in reducing traffic on the roads."

Some Gravesend residents have raised concerns about potential disruption to town centre travel during construction, including bus and car journeys.

However, Oliver Monahan, who is Arriva's managing director for the area, said he "welcomes" the scheme which he says will help to combat congestion and cut down air pollution.

Mr Monahan added: "We are passionate about improving the environment for the communities we serve and in September we will be upgrading our Fastrack buses in Gravesend to Euro 6 ultra-low emissions fleet."

A final decision will be made by KCC's highways boss, Cllr Payne, following a review by KCC's environment and transport committee on September 15.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend