ADDITIONAL funding worth £14.3 million has been earmarked for Kent Thameside’s innovative Fastrack transport system.

Two sections of the bus-only transport route between Greenhithe Station and Ingress Park, in Dartford, and along Thames Way, in Gravesham have been shortisted for a goverment regeneration subsidy, the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF).

The fund, a jointly administered initiative between the Department for Transport and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is designed to kick-start key transport projects in key regeneration areas.

The announcement follows the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Keith Hill’s visit to Dartford to inspect the scheme’s Phase One development.

Commenting on the announcement, Fastrack project manager David George said: "It’s always good to get Government backing - twice is even better!

"Fastrack is beyond the planning stage and is rapidly becoming reality. The first phase will open early. We showed the minister that we can deliver - a key factor in the short listing of CIF projects - and we look forward with confidence to the final announcement this autumn."

When complete the scheme, which will also link Eastern Quarry and Gravesend, will be at the heart of the 12,000 homes and 15,000 jobs planned for the region.