A ground-breaking event has taken place at the site of the future Bean Road underpass in Ebbsfleet in Kent, marking an important step forward for the project ahead of an anticipated start on construction later this spring.
The Bean Road underpass is a key part of Kent County Council’s (KCC) Fastrack programme, which aims to deliver fast, reliable and sustainable public transport connections across Kent Thameside, supporting housing growth, jobs and regeneration.
Once constructed, the scheme will see a 75m underpass built beneath the B255 Bean Road, creating a direct route for Fastrack buses, pedestrians and cyclists between Whitecliffe (formerly Eastern Quarry) and Bluewater Shopping Centre, with improved onward links to Ebbsfleet International Station.
Following a competitive tender process, Erith Contractors Limited were appointed to deliver the construction works, with the construction contract valued at £18.6m. The total value of the scheme is £25.5m.
A significant proportion of the funding for the scheme has been secured from the Department for Transport through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding and Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, alongside contributions from Bluewater and Eastern Quarry Limited. This funding is ringfenced specifically for improvements to bus and sustainable transport infrastructure and cannot legally be redirected to other highway projects.
Subject to this, the anticipated construction programme is expected to last around 15 months, with completion forecast for summer 2027.
Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:
“This project is a strong example of effective partnership working, with KCC bringing together government and local partners to deliver real improvements for the area.
‘The funding secured for the Bean Road underpass is ringfenced specifically for bus and sustainable transport infrastructure, enabling us to invest in a scheme that improves connectivity while supporting growth in Ebbsfleet.
‘Today’s groundbreaking event marks an important step forward for the project as we move toward an anticipated start on construction.”
(Picture: Kent County Council)
