1. Public Transport
The first priority for enhancing mobility in Ebbsfleet is to expand and enhance the existing Fastrack bus system.
The current Fastrack buses run on a 25km network that links Ebbsfleet International to Dartford, Gravesend and Bluewater. However with only 30% of the network segregated from general traffic, the buses often become caught-up in general congestion, particularly around Bluewater and the M25, causing delays and frustration across the entire area. EDC will combine a walkable neighbourhoods approach to masterplanning with a programme of investment in Fastrack, to create neighbourhoods capable of sustaining frequent, rapid, affordable and viable services.
FASTRACK PROGRAMME
EDC will address the current issues with Fastrack by completing missing sections of the network to ensure over 90% of new residents will be within 5 minutes walk of a Fastrack stop, and upgrading the network to provide more than 70% as a segregated bus-lane, that will avoid buses becoming delayed by congestion. Explore the potential for a single integrated ticketing system, for public transport within the Ebbsfleet area. Explore opportunities to upgrade the quality and sustainability of the bus fleet, and the bus stops.
The construction of a new tunnel between Bluewater shopping centre and Whitecliffe is a critical missing link within the Fastrack, walking and cycling networks that will dramatically reduce journey times between Ebbsfleet and Bluewater. EDC is co-funding the tunnel which will open up access for buses, cyclists and pedestrians.
BLUEWATER TUNNELS
AN EBBSFLEE GRAVESEND THAMES CLIPPER SERVICE
EDC will continue to promote the introduction of frequent, quality ferry services from one or more locations in Ebbsfleet, connecting into London Docklands, Greenwich and Central London.
SPRINGHEAD BRIDGE
EDC is building a new bridge to provide a third east-west route in the central area, bridging the River Ebbsfleet, and connecting Springhead village back to Ebbsfleet Central. The bridge will reduce the current 25 minute walk to Ebbsfleet station for Springhead residents to 8 mins, and open up Fastrack services for 800 homes, as well as creating new footpaths and cycleways into the central area.
MOBILITY AS A SERVICE
EDC will explore the opportunity to co-develop a ‘mobility as a service’ scheme for the Ebbsfleet area. Mobility as a service describes the emerging new technology that provides an integrated travel service, where all your travel needs are supported by a single platform accessed from a phone-app or web-site. This service allows users to identify available travel options, and the associated journey time and cost for each journey, and provide a single payment system that could cover all available transport modes, including buses, trains, bike share, ride share, taxis, car clubs and even car hire.
