A KENT business park has pumped £100,000 into road safety as it prepares for the arrival of 150 more workers.

Turkey Mill Investments, developers of Turkey Mill Business Park in Maidstone, agreed to pay a major part of the £140,000 cost of the new pedestrian crossing and bus lay-by on the A20 Ashford Road as part of the park's expansion. Kent County Council paid £40,000 for the traffic lights.

Tolherst Court, a new two-storey office building, is set to add another 150 jobs to the growing complex, boosting the total workforce in various enterprises to around 650.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's Kent branch recently moved its operations to the park. But bosses were worried about the dangers to partially-sighted people trying to cross the busy road.

Students at the nearby Invicta Grammar and Valley Park schools use the bus stop every day.

Tom Sheldon, of Turkey Mill Investments, said: "We now have a lot more people working at Turkey Mill and visiting the park, and more are on their way. Many come by public transport.

"It was vital that we made things a lot safer for them by providing this pelican crossing. And I'm delighted that others will benefit, especially the students at Invicta and Valley Park schools.

"It is also invaluable to one of our key tenants The Guide Dog for the Blind Association."

Sue Glanville, head of Invicta Grammar School, said: "This school obviously appreciates the fact that it's made life safer for our students, which is very important.

"A lot of students use the crossing and I'm sure their parents are also pleased that their children are safer. We're very grateful to everybody who contributed."

Meanwhile, the 14,000 sq ft Tolherst Court scheme, with 80 car parking spaces, is due to be completed in October.

It is a design and build contract by E C Gransden of Sittingbourne, a company that also built Turkey Mill's Orangery, a popular venue for corporate events and wedding receptions.

Tolherst Court has been designed for letting in up to eight self-contained office suites from 1,425 sq ft upwards. Mr Sheldon said: "We already have strong interest in four of the eight offices."

In the past 12 months, almost 20,000 sq ft of space has been let to new tenants, including Clydesdale Bank, Cattles Invoice Finance, Forestdale Solutions and Heritage Foods.