4. A Regional Interchange
Ebbsfleet benefits from having the International Railway Station at its heart, connecting residents and business to London Kings Cross/St Pancras, Paris and Brussels with frequent and reliable high-speed trains.
Just across the River Ebbsfleet on the eastern edge of the central area, Northfleet Station sits on the North Kent commuter train line, running into south London and Victoria, with an exciting opportunity to upgrade this route to form an extension to the Crossrail network- which could link Ebbsfleet directly to Heathrow. Ebbsfleet also sits astride the A2 motorway corridor, providing excellent connections to the south-east, Dover and the continent. When considered together, these rail and road connections provide an exciting opportunity to develop a major transport interchange for the south-east within Ebbsfleet. This interchange would provide a vital gateway into London and Europe for locals using sustainable travel modes, as well as regional visitors starting their journey by car. The interchange could provide a catalyst for the growth of Ebbsfleet, as well as an accelerator for enhanced public transport systems across North Kent.
EBBSFLEET INTERNATIONAL INTERCHANGE
EDC will work with partners to provide a major transport interchange at Ebbsfleet International. This hub will aim to seamlessly integrate international and domestic rail services with local mobility options including Fastrack, walking and cycling networks, as well as providing a park and ride gateway to London and Europe for the region. Projects will seek to facilitate seamless trips and encourage the use of public transport.
DEVELOP A NEW FASTRACK INTERCHANGE IN EBBSFLEET CENTRAL
The expansion of the Fastrack service will include additional routes, and enhanced frequency for buses travelling through Ebbsfleet Central. A new bus-hub adjacent to Ebbsfleet International will be needed to support these services, and improve connectivity with other transport modes within Ebbsfleet.
CROSSRAIL TO EBBSFLEET
EDC is working with Transport for London, and local authorities along the proposed route to develop the business case for the extension of the Elizabeth line to Ebbsfleet. The proposal would see the upgrading of the North Kent railway line which currently serves the Swanscombe and Northfleet stations, to connect to a new terminal which would form part of the Ebbsfleet International interchange. Swanscombe Station is currently very constrained, with basic facilities and no accessible route between the entrance and the platforms. EDC will need to work with relevant transport partners to identity opportunities for upgrading the station to meet the expectations for a contemporary train station within Ebbsfleet.
A2 JUNCTION UPGRADES
EDC is forward funding over £40 million to bring forward Highway England’s planned upgrades the A2 motorway junctions that serve Ebbsfleet Garden City. These upgrades will boost the capacity of the junctions and the flow of traffic accessing Ebbsfleet from the A2, which will benefit both residents, visitors and business within the area.
LOWER THAMES CROSSING
Ebbsfleet’s sits on the edge of the M25, adjacent to the Dartford Crossing, which is one of the most congested parts of the motorway network. In 2017 the Government announced plans for an additional Thames crossing to the east of Ebbsfleet, which will boost capacity on the motorway network around Ebbsfleet. EDC is working closely with the Highways Agency, central Government and local authorities to facilitate the planning, design and construction of the crossing and to enhance strategic road connections in the area.
PLANNING FOR A REGIONAL TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE
The Implementation Framework establishes a number of masterplanning principles for the central area to maximise the potential for a transport interchange at Ebbsfleet. These include;
A generous, lively new pedestrian boulevard will link the existing railway stations at Ebbsfleet International and Northfleet, to form the heart of the Northfleet Rise development area.
All Fastrack services will be routed through a new Fastrack Interchange facility that will be located adjacent to the Ebbsfleet International train station hub, to allow seem-less integration between bus and rail.
The existing surface car parks will be replaced with multi-storey car parks integrated into the central area’s streets and buildings, to offer similar levels of convenience for those arriving by car.
A new cycle hub will provide a broad range of facilities for cyclists at Ebbsfleet International, providing a gateway facility for cyclists accessing north Kent.
The network of streets and public spaces within the Ebbsfleet Central area will seamlessly flow into the station concourses and underpasses, integrating the interchange
