FD Tamesis - General Development - Kent, Partners Establish Key Plan For Transport Infrastructure In Kent Thameside

Date: 01 Aug 2007

Cabinets of Dartford Borough Council and Gravesham Borough Council have met to approve an innovative solution to support new transport infrastructure in the area. This will enable the building of over six thousand new homes at Eastern Quarry, as part of Land Securities' flagship Ebbsfleet Valley development in Kent Thameside.

The agreement enables Eastern Quarry to proceed and is part of a wider package that unlocks capacity for a further 10,000 homes in Kent Thameside, subject to planning decisions by the two councils.

The package incorporates:

A programme of transport investment, including traffic management, public transport, and improved highway junctions, totalling £164million;

Agreement that the cost of this investment should be met by public and private sectors;

A funding package comprising:
£74m Government Thames Gateway funding from Communities & Local Government and Department for Transport

A contribution of £40m from Land Securities in respect of the Eastern Quarry development;

A "tariff" to be paid by developers, likely to be set at a rate of £5,000 per dwelling, in respect of the further 10,000 homes to be built in Kent Thameside.

The package demonstrates the Government's commitment to what will be a 20-year development to benefit the whole of Kent Thameside and the wider Gateway region, details of which will be laid out in the forthcoming Thames Gateway Final Plan. The package has been brokered by the Kent Thameside Delivery Board, the public/private partnership which leads on coordination in the Kent Thameside area.

Michael Ward, Chief Executive of the Kent Thameside Delivery Board said: "We are very pleased to see this scheme moving forward; it is central to the sustainable regeneration of Kent Thameside. This constructive solution to a difficult problem has been achieved as a result of the trust now established between the partners. I am confident that we now have a way forward that everyone supports.

Land Securities is a key partner in the delivery of the rapid transit scheme, Fastrack, to Ebbsfleet Valley, providing sustainable public transport linking the site to Bluewater, Ebbsfleet International station and the rest of Kent Thameside."

The Thames Gateway Executive within Communities for Local Government has overall responsibility for the full Thames Gateway programme. Judith Armitt, its Chief Executive said: "This is exactly what Thames Gateway is all about: finding new ways to overcome seemingly immovable obstacles. Eastern Quarry provides scope for a new sustainable community right next to Ebbsfleet International station in a very high quality attractive setting. This positive decision is possible because of extensive partnership working between the private sector, Central Government and local partners; and last but not least by the Highways Agency who have done ground-breaking work to resolve the transport issues."

A spokesperson from the Department for Transport (DfT) said, "One of the key elements to this tremendous result has been strong partnership working amongst the public and private sector parties involved which has resulted in such a significant contribution to funding for transport infrastructure. DfT is committed to funding the crucial widening of the A2 and local roads, as well as the development of Fastrack, and in addition we have agreed in principle to further funding of future transport infrastructure to help drive development forward."

Kent Thameside's Strategic Transport Plan sets out a proposal for securing a long-term transport investment programme for the area, which is intended to minimise inessential car use, encouraging sustainable travel, and to mitigate congestion caused by new developments.

The developments in Kent Thameside have been planned over a twenty year period around the principle of Public Transport Oriented Development. The award-winning Fastrack rapid transport bus network, which began operating in March 2006, is already encouraging passengers to switch from the private car to the bus.

Eastern Quarry forms the largest element of Land Securities 20-year project which, in addition to new homes, includes 1.29 million sq ft of offices, 250,000 sq ft of retail and 120,000 sq ft of leisure facilities, as well as community facilities and parkland. Land Securities received a 'mind to grant' decision in July 2005.

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