Roadworks as part of a £1.4 million regeneration project at Chatham Railway Station will officially commence next week.

Expected to be completed by March 2019, the project will include:

• a complete remodelling of the station forecourt
• widening and resurfacing of pavements
• a new taxi lane
• visitor pick-up/drop-off bays
• street lighting upgrades
• new public art installations

An infill 'raft' structure will also be installed to accommodate a wider pavement between the train station and the bus terminus.

Medway Council successfully secured a £700,000 grant from the government’s Local Growth Fund through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) to contribute towards the £1.4 million upgrade, with Network Rail match-funding through its National Station Improvement Programme.

The works are part of the wider £4 million Chatham Placemaking Project, which is nearing its completion, with further works commencing in the New Year between Military Road and Dock Road to form a new public square.

During the roadworks, the railway station will remain open as usual and train services will not be affected. However, routes to the station may be disrupted and road users are advised to expect potential delays in the immediate vicinity.

Supporting economic growth

In a recent press release, John Halsall, managing director of Network Rail south east, said: “With passenger numbers on the railway continuing to grow, it’s vital we continue to invest in improvements which make travelling by train simpler and more pleasant.

“We’re proud to be working with Medway Council and Southeastern on this fantastic project which will improve the station area, boost links with local public transport and help support economic growth in Chatham and the Medway towns.”

First impressions count

Christian Brodie, Chair of SELEP, added: “We are pleased to have been able to support this project. The train station is often the first impression visitors have of a town and making clear connections between this gateway, the bus station and town centre is a really important link for the wider regeneration of the whole area. 

“It’s good to see real examples of the local community benefiting from the support of the Local Growth Fund secured by SELEP and our partners at Medway Council. We can already see these improvements to the public space will be instigators for further private investment into the town centre.”

To view detailed provisional plans for the Chatham Railway Station improvement works, please visit the dedicated page on the Medway Council Planning Portal.

A full road closure will be in place on Military Road in Chatham as the next phase of the Chatham Placemaking Project commences.

The traffic order will come into force from Friday, 30 November to Friday, 28 December, between the junction with Waterfront Way to the junction with The Brook (A231). Access to properties will be maintained at all times.

The works will be undertaken by contractor T Loughman, as part of the Medway Council-led Chatham Placemaking Project, a £4 million government funded project to help regenerate key routes within the town centre and make it a better place for residents, workers and visitors. Upgrades to the public realm will be delivered through the replacement of the existing tarmac surface with new high-quality paving materials, defining the area as a pedestrianised zone. The final phase will extend from the recently completed works at Military Square.

A road closure will be in place on High Street in Rochester from 10pm on Friday, 23 November until 6am on Saturday, 24 November.

This will enable Network Rail to undertake a detailed examination of railway bridge VIR/158 at Bath Hard Lane/Five Bells Lane. Motorists are advised to use the diversion route via High Street, A2 New Road, Manor Road and vice versa.

A lane closure will be in place on Sunday, 18 November on the A2 New Road in Chatham (eastbound) between Union Street and the Luton Arches roundabout.

It is expected that UK Power Networks will be undertaking disconnection works to an existing electrical supply to a building.

Motorists are advised to expect delays.