Issued by Essex County Council
Construction of the Dovercourt Public Realm Scheme is progressing well, with the first half of paving works now complete.
The £2.39 million project involves a series of improvements along the B1414 Kingsway. This is between Dovercourt Railway Station and the seafront.
It is part of the multimillion-pound Dovercourt Capital Regeneration Programme. This is being jointly delivered by Essex County Council and Tendring District Council.
M Group Highways were appointed by Essex County Council to construct the scheme. The works began in late June.
Significant progress has been made since then. This includes new paving laid along most of the eastern side of Kingsway. Benches, litter bins and new trees will be added later in the project.
The works have now switched to the western side of Kingsway. This is fenced off to allow the works to be undertaken safely.
The temporary one-way system on Kingsway remains in place and has moved to the other side of the road. Businesses are open as normal and access to properties will be retained throughout the works.
Work will also take place over the coming months to create enhanced public spaces outside Dovercourt Railway Station and Harwich Library.
Councillor Jeff Bray Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Heritage, said: “This scheme is a crucial part of our shared vision for revitalising the town centre and making it an even better place to live, work, shop and visit.
“It will create an inviting route between the railway station and the seafront, encourage more visitors and help attract further investment in the area.”
Councillor Mark Webster, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, said: “The Dovercourt Public Realm Scheme will deliver huge benefits for the local community and I am really pleased to see the progress being made.
“We recognise the construction has caused some inconvenience, particularly the temporary suspension of parking bays along Kingsway to allow the works to be carried out safely.
“We are continuing to work closely with our contractor to minimise any disruption and we will look to reopen parking spaces as soon as it is safe to do so.
“Thank you to residents and businesses for their patience.”
Tendring District Council has supported the scheme by allowing the derelict Milton Road Car Park site to be used as a material storage by M Group. They have also extended the Household Parking Permit scheme through the summer to help residents.
Councillor Ivan Henderson, Tendring District Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, added: “This project, along with others in our exciting regeneration plan, will make such a huge difference to the town centre.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and support during this period of disruption and remind people that any Tendring residents with a Householder Parking Permit can park in Orwell Place Car Park for free from 11am.”
Works as part of the public realm scheme are scheduled to be completed in the winter.
The wider Dovercourt regeneration programme includes last year’s £1.16 million transformation of Harwich Library. It also includes a new car park in Milton Road and new council homes in Victoria Street
During the summer, works along the seafront were also completed. This was part of the High Street Accelerator Green Spaces project.
For more information about the public realm scheme, please visit https://www.essexhighways.org/dovercourt-public-realm-scheme
