A highway improvement scheme has been completed helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
The Bullockstone Road Improvement Scheme is part of the wider Herne Relief Road project, led by Kent County Council (KCC) and paid for by developers.
The project received a £3.5m loan from SELEP’s Growing Places Fund which aims to unlock economic growth, create jobs and kick-start house building at stalled development sites. Helen Dyer, Capital Programme Manager for SELEP, attended a launch event for the new infrastructure.
Bullockstone Road has been widened to seven metres with two new roundabout junctions created at the A291 Canterbury Road and at the northern end of the scheme to the north of Lower Herne Road to provide access to the future development site.
An additional 2,500 homes are to be developed in Herne Bay in the coming years and the scheme will mitigate the potential increase in congestion resulting from this.
As well as the two new junctions the speed limit along Bullockstone Road has been reduced from the 60mph national speed limit to 40mph and a new shared pavement and cycleway has been built along the full length of the scheme.
The area around the site has been landscaped along the route to replace the lost greenery and two attenuation ponds have been built to help with drainage.
Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier, said: “The Bullockstone Road Improvement Scheme will help to improve journeys by reducing congestion and boosting air quality. “I am pleased to see that this project has been completed, unlocking the potential for future prosperity in the area. The area around the site has been landscaped to replace the greenery that had to be used as part of the redevelopment, boosting biodiversity.”
The team behind the project have also been contributing to the local community. During the time they were constructing the project they donated children’s books to the parish council’s Christmas party, repaired access to the Ross Wood Scouts Campsite, employed local workers, gave a presentation to young people at Canterbury College and more.