Construction is set to commence this month for Dover Fastrack, Kent’s first zero-emission bus service connecting Whitfield with Dover town centre and Dover Priory railway station. This is after Kent County Council (KCC) awarded construction contract to Colas UK Projects Ltd. KCC is controlling scheme’s delivery on behalf of Dover District Council (DDC), with both councils working closely to fulfil a shared ambition for the county and district become carbon neutral by 2050
Work will commence on this month at the site and will go on for around 18 months. With the aiming much on carbon reduction, Colas anticipates to plant more than 10,000 new trees, shrubs and hedgerow trees as well as improving wildlife habitat in the region.
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The Dover Fastrack rapid bus transit system.
The rapid bus transit system construction will include a modern bus, a bridge across the A2 at Whitfield for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as a new road link between the B&Q roundabout in Whitfield and Dover Road at Guston. The electric buses fleet will be operating on Dover Fastrack. Back in 2018, Volvo in partnership with KCC worked to trial the electric alternative. The scheme was offered funding as part of Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme of the Department for Transport.
Dover Fastrack will offer an effective transport link with high-speed train services from Dover Priory railway station, better for commuting, leisure business trips to and from London. The project will also create a quick and easy way to reach Dover Castle and the town centre. Dover Fastrack project is supported by a funding programme of £22.9m from central government which is designed to help enhance the new housing development. Dover District Council was awarded the grant by Homes England and is partnering with KCC being the highways authority.