Multi-storey project set for November start

Work to enable the building of Canterbury’s new multi-storey car park in Station Road West will begin on Monday 12 November.

Station Road West. Pic: Google

The £9.1 million, 380-space car park will be built on the site of the existing council car park next to the railway station and will provide the parking capacity that this area of the city needs for the next 32 years. It will also support businesses in St Dunstan’s, which are predominantly smaller, independent traders.

Work will start with the diversion of a Southern Water sewer that crosses under Station Road West and into the current car park. As a result, there will be temporary traffic lights some weeks, and a full road closure on other weeks, during the approximate 11 weeks of work.

Between Monday 12 November and Sunday 25 November, there will be two-way temporary lights. Then from Monday 26 November to Saturday 15 December, Station Road West will be closed to through traffic, with a short diversion signed via St Dunstan’s Street and North Lane.

Following a break for Christmas, during which the road will be fully open, work will recommence on 2 January 2019 for around six weeks, again with a full road closure.

During the road closure periods, a new entrance and exit for Station Road West car park will be provided at the end closest to St Dunstan’s Street to ensure it can remain operational. This will also be the route into the railway station car park.

Access to the overflow station car park and the council’s temporary car park near The Spires will not be available from St Dunstan’s Street. Traffic will be diverted via North Lane.

Construction of the new multi-storey car park will get underway when the sewer diversion work is complete. No exact date is available for this at the moment, but the temporary car park, which has 108 spaces, will be open throughout the construction period.

The council’s Chief Executive, Colin Carmichael, said: “We’re now able to confirm the timetable for the enabling work for this important and much-needed project for Canterbury, which ensures the parking requirements of residents, visitors and railway station users are met for many years to come.

“We also know how much the businesses in that area of the city need this car park for their customers to use. The importance of this is often overlooked, but it is part of our commitment to traders in and around St Dunstan’s.

“The car park will feature the very latest camera and barrier technology, 20 electric vehicle charging spaces initially, with more planned for the future, and a large number of blue badge and parent and child spaces on the ground floor.

“It will serve an area of Canterbury that is only going to get busier in the years ahead as the population increases. By going ahead with the project now, we are demonstrating we are planning for the future and providing the city with the infrastructure it needs.”

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