What difference will Folkestone – A Brighter Future make?
The project will help regenerate Folkestone town centre and make it a safer, greener and more inviting and accessible place to spend time.
Infrastructure improvements include upgraded roads and pedestrian walkways, making travel easier and more efficient – reducing congestion and improving connectivity.
A key component of the scheme is converting Bouverie Square (the former bus station site) into a new public space which will provide a welcoming environment, including a play area, for residents and visitors.
Can the money be spent on other things instead?
Folkestone & Hythe District Council was awarded £19.8m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund in January 2023. This money was specifically given to help the transformation of the town centre.
The successful bid followed extensive public engagement, during which residents helped identify projects that would create an exciting and ambitious future.
Do you understand the frustrations caused by the delivery of Folkestone – A Brighter Future?
With a scheme this complex (work is continuing at seven different sites), disruption is unavoidable and we appreciate how frustrating this can be.
Traffic management measures are in place to allow improvements to be made as safely and efficiently as possible.
We would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience. Residents, visitors and businesses will all benefit from an improved and more attractive town centre once it is complete.
Why was it decided to change how the bus station operates?
The new linear bus station along Middelburg Square will be safer and more accessible for passengers, providing real-time digital information on arrival times. It is also compatible with modern vehicles unlike its predecessor.
Advantages include reducing the need for pedestrians to cross the carriageway between buses, limiting the flow of traffic along the southern side of Middelburg Square and buses being able to get closer to the kerb.
The changes also allow Bouverie Square to be returned to its former use as a public garden space.
The latest changes to bus services in Folkestone – including the use of temporary stops – can be found on Stagecoach’s website.
Where are the nearest public toilets while work is carried out at Bouverie Square?
The Bouverie Square public toilets have been temporarily closed to maintain public safety while planter walls are demolished and disused shelters are removed from the former bus station.
To avoid future disruption, the facilities will undergo a significant refurbishment before reopening in late spring.
In the meantime, the nearest council-run WC can be found less than 10-minutes’ walk away in nearby Pleydell Gardens (CT20 2DN).
An arrangement for the public to use the Bouverie Square Shopping Centre toilets is also in place.
What is currently taking place on Sandgate Road near Folca?
Work is ongoing to construct new planters in Sandgate Road and street furniture including benches, bins and cycle hoops are ready to be installed.
Planting in the area will begin in March.
Why do there seem to be so many changes to local roads?
We’re making it much easier for pedestrians and cyclists to find their way through upgraded crossings linking Folkestone Central station and the town centre.
By improving these routes, we’re encouraging more sustainable and healthier ways of travelling.
Changes to the road network will also address roads which served Folkestone well when it was a port town but are no longer appropriate.
These measures will all help to reduce traffic speeds and create a much more pleasant pedestrian-friendly environment.
Why has Radnor Park roundabout been changed?
The size of the roundabout remains roughly the same to ensure traffic can continue to move smoothly.
Several safety features have also been added to make it easier and safer for those walking and cycling. These include:
- Upgraded pedestrian crossings on each side of the roundabout, turning them into parallel crossings that can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists
- New cycle lanes in both directions to help create a more continuous cycle route along Cheriton Road
- Relocated pedestrian crossing near Station Approach which will now sit just north of the railway bridge, where most people naturally cross to improve safety and provide a more convenient walking route
- Traffic signals at this crossing to help manage traffic flow and reduce queues
- A safer entrance into Station Approach, making it easier for people turning in from Radnor Park Road/Cheriton Road
Why are you using so many Belisha beacons and tabletop crossings in the scheme?
Belisha beacons (the orange flashing lights next to zebra-style crossings) are required by law at non signalised pedestrian crossings.
They highlight where people have priority and alert drivers to slow down.
You’re seeing more of them simply because the area now has more formalised crossings as part of the safety improvements.
Tabletop crossings are raised to the same height as the pavement.
This makes crossing the road easier for everyone, especially people with mobility issues, because there’s no step up or down.
These crossings also help slow down traffic, improving safety for people walking and cycling.
Where can I find out the latest information about Folkestone – A Brighter Future?
Full details of the scheme are available on our dedicated webpages – you can also sign up for a monthly newsletter from our contractors Jackson Civil Engineering.
Why is the bus station canopy being taken down?
The bus station building in Bouverie Square is being redeveloped to complement the improvements underway through the Folkestone – A Brighter Future scheme.
The canopy was found to be in poor condition when experts examined it back in 2024. Part of the canopy has already been removed and the rest will be removed in April/May 2026. This work will begin on Monday 20 April and run for 10 days including four days of evening work (7pm – 10pm) from 21 April to 23 April inclusive. Nearby residents and businesses have been notified in advance.
Removing the canopy at this stage is both necessary and practical. The new public realm work will bring paving right up to the building, along with new trees and other features.
Part of the ground floor - approximately 100sqm - will be refurbished to attract a hospitality or café operator, serving residents and park visitors. External refurbishment will also be undertaken to ensure the building complements the wider FABF improvements.
The removal of the existing canopy is therefore a critical and necessary step to ensure the long term performance of the building, the safety of users, and the successful delivery of the wider regeneration programme.
Why have some roads been narrowed as part of the FABF scheme?
As part of the scheme, sections of the road have been narrowed and pavements widened to create a safer and more pleasant town centre environment. This is a common approach in modern highway schemes, helping to reduce traffic speeds and improve safety, particularly when combined with the new 20mph speed limit being introduced.
Although carriageways are narrower, they remain well above the minimum required widths. All routes have been checked to ensure they can safely accommodate buses, refuse vehicles and emergency services.
Some current concerns may relate to temporary traffic management during construction, which can make roads appear narrower. Once works are completed and temporary measures removed, this visual effect will no longer be present.
Wider pavements support better walking and cycling connections between Folkestone Central Station and the town centre, making routes clearer, more pleasant and supporting regeneration and wayfinding. Along Cheriton Road, the additional space has also allowed for rain gardens, which improve drainage, help manage surface water and reduce flood risk.