*UPDATE*
The road closures for the second phase of roadworks will begin at 8pm on Monday 11 June and last for approximately four months.
A map detailing which roads will be closed and the alternative routes can be found here.
Additionally, there is a Frequently Asked Questions page, available here, which will answer most queries.
If your question is not answered on our FAQ page, please get in touch using the details at the bottom of this page.
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As part of the regeneration of Sittingbourne, the planned second phase of roadworks around the train station will cause significant disruption to those who drive in and around the area.
The second phase of the roadworks will include the closure of:
The station end of Dover Street
The station end of Milton Road
The station end of St Michael’s Road
The section of Station Street which runs parallel to St Michael’s Road
The programme begins on May 29 with the above road closures taking effect by June 11. The whole programme lasts for approximately four months.
Whilst we are taking steps to mitigate the impact of these necessary works, delays are inevitable. Residents are advised to plan ahead and review their journey in order to minimise the disruption caused to their travel plans.
Town centre visitors will need to review their parking options over the period of the roadworks and bus users should take note of temporary stop changes.
Full details of the works are contained in the Q&A section of this website (click here).
Further further information or questions, please email roadworks@spiritofsittingbourne.com or call our roadworks hotline on 01795 602 011.
We apologise for the inevitable disruption this phase of the Spirit of Sittingbourne development will cause.
Those who commute through the roadwork area, and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are advised to make alternative travel arrangements and avoid the area altogether. There will be a diversion route in place for HGVs.
Residents can keep updated on further news related to the Spirit of Sittingbourne project at www.spiritofsittingbourne.com
Cllr Andrew Bowles, Leader of Swale Borough Council said:
“Nando’s signing up for the new leisure quarter is another confirmation of confidence in the Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration programme, which has seen the Council under my leadership invest in Sittingbourne’s future. We all look forward to Nando’s opening, but there’s disagreement in the Cabinet on which PERi-PERii sauce we can handle!’
Richard Upton, Deputy CEO at U+I said:
“We are delighted to have Nando’s onboard and to be powering ahead with work in Sittingbourne. The multi-million-pound investment will soon be delivering many benefits including; popular shops, a hotel, cinema, six restaurants and hundreds of new jobs. Local people can look forward to having the evening attractions Sittingbourne deserves on the doorstep and the quality restaurant and leisure offer will attract new visitors to the town centre.”
As part of the Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration, preparatory works are beginning to take place that will enable the construction of the cinema and new leisure quarter later this year.
Work to improve drainage and resurface the Forum car park will begin this week with a new temporary entrance being installed from 9 April.
The main resurfacing work will commence from 16 April when the Forum end of the car park will be fenced off and the substantive drainage and resurfacing work will begin.
Throughout the works, we will provide the current number of 6 disabled parking bays with the temporary bays connected to the Forum by a safe and level route.
In addition to the above works, this week will see work to excavate and divert sewers in preparation for construction of the new multi-story car park.
St Michael’s Road will be closed for a short stretch on the westbound carriageway for up to 3 weeks. The closure runs from Station Street to the point where the bus access road from Station Street joins St Michael’s Road. The diversion route is via Station Street and using the bus lane to re-join St Michael’s Road, east of the Station Roundabout.
We’re delighted to announce the name for our new retail park off Eurolink Way, known as Site 6 in planning speak.
After a public poll run online and in the Kent Messenger, Princes Street Retail Park has been chosen.
Opening in 2018, Princes Street Retail Park will be home to new retailers including Home Bargains and Food Warehouse from Iceland, alongside a Costa drive thru.
Cllr Andrew Bowles, leader of Swale council, said:
“I’m pleased to announce the clear winner of our public poll to name the new big box retail site as Princes Street Retail Park.
“It’s pleasing to see that local people chose a name that helps connect the history of the town to the bright future ahead.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what ideas people come up with for the new public square and leisure quarter when we ask them to help pick a name next year.”
As you can see from our latest snaps, construction is well underway at the new retail site off Eurolink Way (formally known as ‘Site 6’ in council planning speak).
We’re on track to complete the building works by the end of March. We will then hand over to the tenants, including Home Bargains and Food Warehouse from Iceland, for fit out, which will take from four to twelve weeks depending on their programme.
Exact opening dates will be announced in 2018, so watch this space!
Why not have your say on the permanent name for the new retail park? Spirit of Sittingbourne has been working with Swale Borough Council and the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS) to come up with a shortlist of names for the site to be put to the public vote.
You can vote for your choice here.
The poll will run until Wednesday, 29 November and the final choice will be announced at the council meeting on 13 December.
Come along to the Silent Cinema, grab a pair of headphones and enjoy movie night with us!
Click here for tickets
As well as your free popcorn, there'll be a licensed bar and food trucks at the event providing light refreshments for purchase on the evening.
Arrive at 7pm for a 7:30pm start in The Forum car park.
As students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom. Stars Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins and Kelly McGillis. More info on the film at IMDB
Tickets are just £5! Under 12's go free.
Your ticket includes the use of headphones for the duration on the event, 1 x free popcorn and 1 x water per person. Should it feel a little chilly, blankets will be available on the day (the headphones and blankets will need to be returned at the end of the film).
Disabled access, seating & bathroom facilities are provided.
Seating will be in the main car park area on deck chairs.
Ponchos will be available on the day if it's raining. Please ensure you arrive 30minutes prior to the start of the film to secure your seat.
As is the case with such schemes, our contractors constantly keep works under review with Kent County Council in order to ensure disruption is minimised. As part of that process we’ve trialled solutions for eastbound traffic leaving The Forum car park. Regular vehicles are able to take a left turn through the bus breakthrough onto the A2, but this will be improved to accommodate larger vehicles, such as HGVs, which currently travel down Station Street until they can safely turn onto their preferred route.
Milton Road will remain closed for at least one more week than planned. This is due to the conditions of the road, the amount of plant underneath it and the requirement to have Network Rail representatives on site. The works will be completed before the new school term at the latest.
The first phase of roadworks is on track to be completed by November 30th.
Construction of the retail units will be complete by March 2018, when Costa Coffee, Home Bargains and Food Warehouse from Iceland take up residence. Essential service works by UK Power Networks on Milton Road to service the new units will take place from July 25th 2017 and last a maximum of three weeks.
Roadworks to facilitate the construction of the new leisure quarter will take place in four phases, with the first phase kicking off at the beginning of August and finishing by the beginning of December. Phase one will see westbound traffic from St Michael’s Rd diverted onto Station Street, allowing works on West Street, Station St, St Michaels Rd and the adjoining car parks. Whilst these works will not result in significant diversions to traffic, we do anticipate some disruption, so drivers may want to allow a little extra time for their journey.
Phase two roadworks will begin in the New Year. Completion of the second phase of works will fully release the leisure quarter land, meaning work can begin on the new Light Cinema and new restaurants, including Pizza Express and Wildwood.
Cllr Mike Cosgrove, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Swale Borough Council: “After a thorough process to ensure this vital regeneration project could go ahead, we’re now looking forward to realising our vision for Sittingbourne town centre’s future, benefiting local people through new leisure and employment opportunities.”
Rob Sloper of Spirit of Sittingbourne: “A lot of work has gone into ensuring plans for the regeneration of Sittingbourne reached this stage. We’re delighted that we’re now able to move from concept to construction this summer, with work on the ground bringing the benefits of our development to the local area.”
To view proposed roadworks, click here.
