Responses to phase one engagement feedback
Thanks to everyone who engaged with us back in July 2023, either online or at the public engagement event at Bouverie House Business Centre. Your views and comments help us understand if you think this project is going in the right direction and what needs to change. Your feedback so far has been essential in refining the scheme to make it work better for the community.
The proposals will bring about positive benefits to the town, but we realise that not everyone will be in favour of what is decided. Our engagement events help us understand the areas that are most liked, and those which are least liked, and we can reflect this feedback in the final designs.
We’ve included some of the feedback on the different elements of the scheme in the document below. We’ve also included what things we’ve changed because of your feedback, or reasons why we haven’t done other things.
Please contact us at public.engagement@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Phase 1 public engagement feedback responses (PDF, 141MB)
Share your views
During the Folkestone – A Brighter Future project we shall be holding public engagement events. These will be opportunities for residents to look at the detail of what is being proposed, to talk to those working on the project and to make comments on the plans.
Phase one public engagement event
This is the first event and is being held at the Bouverie House Business Centre in Bouverie Place, Folkestone (CT20 1AE) between midday and 7pm on both Wednesday 5 July and Thursday 6 July 2023.
Information on display at the July event is detailed further down this page. Also included in a pdf file at the bottom of the page are maps of the two key areas where changes are proposed.
After finding out about the proposals, either from the text below or by attending the public engagement event, residents and visitors were invited to complete a survey. The survey was closed at midnight on Sunday 23 July.
Thank you to everyone who completed the survey.
Information about phase one
In January 2023 Folkestone & Hythe District Council was awarded £19.8 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund for the Folkestone – A Brighter Future project which aims to transform Folkestone town centre.
The successful bid for funding followed public engagement in 2021 as part of the development of the Place Plan for Folkestone Town Centre, when the public helped to identify projects which would create an exciting and ambitious future for the town.
Further public engagement followed in 2022, gathering feedback on the emerging content of the bid to the Levelling Up Fund, focussing on priority projects across the town.
The first phase of Folkestone – A Brighter Future will bring significant improvements to the complicated road system around Folkestone Central train station and to Cheriton Road and Cheriton Gardens, leading to Middelburg Square.
The complicated road layout was a legacy from when Folkestone was a busy ferry port. The project aims to address this through improved signage and links to the town centre will be created making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to find their way.
As well as more and upgraded pedestrian crossings, proposals for phase one of the project will include a new roundabout at the junction of Shorncliffe Road and Cheriton Road and many more areas of green space and seating in pedestrian areas.
Phase two of the project will focus on the town centre itself, including proposed alterations to the bus station.
Further public engagement events for phase two will be organised.
Phase one progress to date
- AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, has been appointed by Kent County Council who will be Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s delivery partner for the project.
- AECOM is reviewing the concept designs submitted for the Levelling Up funding bid to ensure that they are fully workable for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Station arrival and Cheriton Road to Shorncliffe Road
The changes for consideration are proposed below. Maps of the locations are included in the pdf file which you can find at the end of this text.
- Changes at the roundabout junction of Cheriton Road and Radnor Park Road with upgraded crossings to help pedestrians and cyclists.
- Relocation of existing on-street parking in Shorncliffe Road to allow for landscaping and creation of new parking bays.
- Building out the junction of A259 and Cheriton Road (near the railway bridge) to allow for more green space and a cycle lane.
- Creation of parallel crossing (a combined pedestrian and cycle crossing which has priority over the road which it crosses).
- Upgraded LED lighting in Station Approach, block paving footway upgrades and cycle stands outside the station entrance.
Cheriton Road and Cheriton Gardens to Middelburg Square
The changes for consideration are proposed below. Maps of the locations are included in the pdf file which you can find at the end of this text.
- Shorncliffe Road and Cheriton Road junction upgrade to four arm roundabout with zebra crossings on each arm, public seating with local art work.
- Footway along Shorncliffe Road built out to include mature trees and vegetation, creating a greener space and reducing vehicle speeds.
- Vehicle access closed to Manor Road and Claremont Road at the new junction, except for cycles.
- Footway widened along Cheriton Road towards Middelburg Square to introduce a “green street” with seating and planting, including trees.
- Seating in green “parklet” areas at junctions of Cheriton Road with Connaught Road and Millfield.
- Footway widened along Cheriton Gardens with low level vegetation
We would like to know
- What impact will these proposals have on you?
- Will these proposals work for you as a pedestrian on your regular journeys?
- Do you think the location of the new crossings will make it easier to cross the roads?
- If you live in the area, will these proposals improve your street?
- If you have caring responsibilities, how will the mobility of those you care for be impacted?
- If you have additional mobility requirements, do you think these changes will make things easier for you?
- Do you cycle through the area? Will these proposals make it safer and easier for you to use your bicycle to travel?
- Do you drive through this area by car or pick up friends or family from the railway station? How will these proposals affect you?
- If you get the bus from this area, how will the changes impact your journey?
We have information provided at our public engagement events, including photographs, maps and diagrams.
Levelling Up Fund display boards (PDF, 5.04MB)
If you require the information, photographs and maps on display at the public engagement events in an alternative format please email public.engagement@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk or phone the council on 01303 85300.
Comments on the proposals can be made by emailing public.engagement@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
For further information and an overview of the project watch this regeneration video and see how we’re delivering on our vision to meet the needs of our changing population and identifying key sites for future employment and housing.