The £2.5 million scheme is fully funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of their multi-million-pound National Bus Strategy package allocated to Kent County Council (KCC) for bus service improvements across Kent.
The scheme has been designed to reduce the impact of the Dartford Crossing congestion in the area and support commuters. With more people making use of the Kent Thameside Fastrack bus service than ever before, a reliable and faster service is essential in maintaining bus use and supporting economic growth.
An aerial view of the completed Rennie Drive.
The work, which started in March 2024 with Amey as principal contractor in collaboration with Steadline limited, included creating a new bus lane within Rennie Drive which gives buses priority over other traffic. Traffic signals have been changed to allow buses to turn left or right in or out of the junction of Rennie Drive and the Kent Fastway over the A282. It is expected that this will reduce journey times by two minutes per trip.
In addition, improvements have been made to crossings in the area to provide better access to pedestrians and cyclists.
“This has been a significant investment and will bring lasting improvements to the Dartford bus network.”
Neil Baker, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “I am pleased that construction is now complete on Rennie Drive, which needed improvements to support the Kent Thameside Fastrack services.
‘Fastrack services across Kent are among the busiest in the county, with bus priority being an essential part of why passengers rely on them.
‘It is one of our priorities to make public transport a real alternative to cars. This has been a significant investment and will bring lasting improvements to the Dartford bus network.”
Working collaboratively, Amey and Steadline Limited were pleased to deliver key Fastrack improvements along the Rennie Drive Junction on behalf of KCC.
A spokesperson from Steadline Limited said: “This has been a rewarding scheme. We have had a long-term presence here and are proud to see the improvements our works have made to this busy junction. It has been a privilege working alongside KCC and Amey on this project.’
Andrew Thompson, Go Ahead’s Head of Kent Fastrack, added: “Since taking over the operation of Fastrack services in November, we are proud to have delivered an immediate improvement in service reliability for our customers, keeping communities connected across Kent Thameside.
‘The opening of this scheme is a beneficial addition to the innovative highway measures that support the operation of the Fastrack network. The scheme will reduce journey times and bring further improvements to service reliability, transforming customer journeys for the better."
