The Sir John Hawkins way flyover will be reduced to rubble in the coming months - making way for a new £5 million bus station.
The flyover’s fate was sealed at last week’s cabinet meeting, during which councillors agreed upon the Sir John Hawkins Way/Globe Lane site as the location for the terminal.
Medway council leader Rodney Chambers said the impending demolition work would “inevitably cause disruption” but was “a price worth paying”.
The Liberal Democrats reacted angrily to the announcement, saying the decision would have a huge impact on traders, taxi drivers, shoppers and motorists.
Lib Dem councillor Herby Crack said: “I’m very disappointed the ruling Tories have accepted the location of this facility.
“This will mean the immediate closure of the flyover and Globe Lane, causing immense disruption to Chatham’s traffic well into the forseeable future.”
Mr Chambers defended the council’s decision, which comes after years of public consultation, seven separate proposals and tireless campaigning by furious retailers who said trade had slumped since the flyover was close.
He said: “Getting this right is vitally important for Chatham’s future and that’s why it has been the subject of so much discussion and consultation.
“It’s now clear that the most logical location is Globe Lane, which makes demolition of the Sir John Hawkins flyover unavoidable.
“This is a complex project and the works will inevitably cause disruption. But that is a price worth paying.
“The new bus station is a key element of the vastly improved public transport system that Medway will need as the regeneration programme takes shape.
“It will replace the bus station now at The Pentagon, which is a highly unsatisfactory bus station environment.
“That, in turn, clears the way for the £80 million expansion of The Pentagon that the new owners are keen to get on with.”
Demolition of the flyover and the building of the bus station will be followed by phase two of the two-way road network in Chatham.
This will include the widening of The Brook, a series of junction improvements and three major new car parks, delivering a gain of 500 spaces.
Medway’s £1 billion regeneration programme will transform Chatham as Medway’s new city centre.
Plans for the Chatham Waterfront regeneration site, between Sun Pier and the Command House pub, include striking apartments, a waterfront park, cafes, restaurants and a major new arts and entertainment venue.
Mr Chambers said: “With the flyover down and the new bus station operational, we can get on with the rest of the regeneration programme.
“In a few short years Medway as a whole – and Chatham in particular – will be a very different place.”
POSTED: 22/02/2008 10:41:27
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