The Folkestone – A Brighter Future project is gathering momentum with more than 500 people attending last week’s engagement events and preliminary grounds investigations due to begin later this month.
School children and residents viewed the proposed changes to Folkestone town centre via a flying carpet ride over a virtual 3D model of the designs. A game set in the new look centre also challenged players to bring their design flair to the new scheme.
For those who missed the flypast and game opportunity – a video fly-through version is now published on our website. Information from the engagement event’s display boards can also be viewed and visitors are encouraged to follow a link to fill in a community survey.
Feedback from phase three will be considered by the project design team and any alterations and changes published. Those made after the phase two engagement are available on the our website.
Preliminary works for the project are set to begin at the end of March with ground investigations being undertaken. This work is necessary to confirm the makeup of the ground and subterranean conditions across the project area.
For safety reasons Kent County Council’s contractor will implement temporary lane closures during off peak hours in the town centre between 25 March and 16 April. Some temporary parking restrictions may also be necessary during off peak hours on Cheriton Gardens (only near the junction with Shorncliffe Road) and throughout Cheriton Road. Signs and traffic cones will be used to give advance notice of these restrictions.
Cllr Rich Holgate, Cabinet Member for the District Economy said: “It’s exciting that the first physical work on the project is about to take place. These grounds works are an essential part of the ambitious plans for the redesign of Folkestone town centre.
“There may be a limited amount of disruption during the day and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused to residents or visitors over the next few weeks.”
It is expected that construction on phase one of the Folkestone – A Brighter Future project will begin in Autumn 2024 and all phases completed during 2025. Details of the project timeline and further planned works will be published on our Folkestone - A Brighter Future webpages.