Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is Kent Thameside?
   
   
2. Why are land developers in Kent Thameside building on floodplains?
   
   
3. Why are land developers in Kent Thameside building on the Green Belt?
   
   
4. Why aren’t other road users permitted to use Fastrack lanes?
   
   
5. Are Fastrack vehicles fitted with CCTV?
   
   
6. Are Fastrack fares more expensive than the equivalent Arriva fares?
   
   
7. How does Ebbsfleet Station plug into the local public transport network?
   
   
8. Why is the Kent Thameside Regeneration Partnership involved in employment & training?
   
   
9. What type of jobs will be created in Kent Thameside?
   
   
10. Why should I consider employment in construction when I am not of a practical nature?
    
    
11. Where can I buy a new house in Kent Thameside?
    
    
12. What is affordable housing?
    
    
13. What about children’s play areas?

1. Where is Kent Thameside?
   
   Kent Thameside encompasses the urban areas of Gravesham and Dartford north of the A2.
   
   
2. Why are land developers in Kent Thameside building on floodplains?
   
   Many people wish to live by the riverfront and are prepared to pay a premium to do so, knowing that development in Kent Thameside is protected by the highest standard of flood defence provided in the country. These developments, which avoid the Green Belt to the south and east of the urban area, are sited on brownfield land.
   
   
3. Why are land developers in Kent Thameside building on the Green Belt?
   
   Contrary to popular perception, no Green Belt land is being developed as part of the Kent Thameside regeneration plan. Rather, 5.5 sq. miles of brownfield land is being redeveloped to create the necessary space for the planned homes, jobs, transport infrastructure and green areas.
   
   
4. Why aren’t other road users permitted to use Fastrack lanes?
   
   The Fastrack lanes have been provided as an integral part of investment in the Fastrack system for Kent Thameside. Studies as far back as 1995 recognised that major development would result in a substantial increase in trips and that a much greater proportion of local trips needed to be by public transport. The studies showed that an 'intermediate mode' bus rapid transit system could do almost the same job as a tram, providing it ran on its own dedicated lanes and was seen as something separate and distinctly different to other bus services.
   
   
5. Are Fastrack vehicles fitted with CCTV?
   
   Each Fastrack vehicle is equipped with 7 cameras, both internal and external, to help ensure the safety of all Fastrack passengers across the entire route.
   
   
6. Are Fastrack fares more expensive than the equivalent Arriva fares?
   
   The answer is ‘no’. Fastrack offers a premium service at the same fare as an equivalent local bus journey.
   
   
7. How does Ebbsfleet Station plug into the local public transport network?
   
   Fastrack has served Ebbsfleet Station since Eurostar services began in November 2007. Additional public transport provisions will be integrated once domestic services operate from Ebbsfleet Station in 2009. Options to enhance the pedestrian connectivity between Ebbsfleet and Northfleet stations are currently being explored.
   
   
8. Why is the Kent Thameside Regeneration Partnership involved in employment & training?
   
   Two related priorities of the Kent Thameside Regeneration Partnership are to ensure that local residents are able to secure quality jobs arising from the regeneration of the area and that a skilled workforce is developed to contribute to a successful economy.
   
   
9. What type of jobs will be created in Kent Thameside?
   
   A whole variety of employment opportunities at all skill levels will be created primarily through the regeneration of Kent Thameside at Ebbsfleet Valley and The Bridge @ Dartford. Jobs in each of the major work sectors will be represented in Kent Thameside, including positions in Finance, Transport, Retail, Distribution, Manufacture, Construction and Administration to name but a few.
   
   
10. Why should I consider employment in construction when I am not of a practical nature?
    
    Not all jobs in construction are trade-related; often employment in this sector requires higher-level skills, e.g. in personnel management, civil engineering, architecture and quantity surveying.
    
    
11. Where can I buy a new house in Kent Thameside?
    
    New homes for sale in Kent Thameside are currently available at FUSION, Waterstone Park, a joint venture between Countryside Properties and Land Securities; at The Bridge, Dartford, from George Wimpey with the design expertise of Wayne Hemingway; and at The Embankment from Bellway Homes.
    
    The initial phase of homes at Springhead Park, the first residential development at Ebbsfleet Valley, went on sale from Countryside Properties in February 2008. Other sites throughout the Valley will be steadily developed over the next 20 years.
    
    Crest Nicholson launched the final phase of housing development at Ingress Park, entitled The Pier, in May 2008.
    
    
12. What is affordable housing?
    
    Housing for sale or rent at a price which can be afforded by people identified as being in need and unable, because of insufficient income, to compete in the local housing market.
    
    
13. What about children’s play areas?
    
    There are no plans to provide new playgrounds in existing areas of population in Kent Thameside. The existing provision at Rosherville will be expanded and several other play areas across the existing urban areas will be refurbished with Big Lottery funding to raise the overall quality. New developments above a certain size, e.g. Ebbsfleet Valley, are required to provide children's play facilities in accordance with the number of dwellings. These standards are being reviewed as a part of producing the Local Development Frameworks.

If you have a question or require further information about Kent Thameside, please contact us.