Town centre revitalisation scheme to start in September (From This Is Local London)

Bexleyheath town centre revitalisation scheme to start in September

2:28pm Friday 13th July 2012 in Where I Live By Jim Palmer

MAJOR redevelopment in Bexleyheath town centre will begin in just under two months.

The high-profile work includes removing traffic lights to create ‘shared space’ junctions and will begin on September 10, as soon as the Olympic and Paralympic games are over.

It will be paid for by £3.5 million of Transport for London funding, granted in October 2009, and covers Albion Road approach to Trinity Place, the non-pedestrian areas of the Broadway and Arnsberg Way.

Speed limits will be lowered to 20mph, while traffic lights will be removed along Arnsberg Way as junctions are redesigned to make them more people-friendly.

There will be high-quality paving, better lighting and a new roundabout in front of Oaklands car park.

The work should be complete by next July, with the first section done by November 28 “so that by Christmas the visitors to the town centre will find a significantly improved physical environment in which to walk”, according to a council report published last month.

For eight months while the work is carried out, traffic will be diverted easterly along the Broadway and Arnsberg Way one-way, and along Albion Road in the other direction.

Bexley Council has already started talks with TfL for a second phase, focussing on Albion Road, the pedestrian area of the Broadway and routes from Barnehurst and Bexleyheath stations.

Bexley Council’s cabinet member for Public Realm, Traffic and Transport, Councillor Gareth Bacon said: “Supporting the borough's town centres is a key priority for the Council and this scheme will help revitalise Bexleyheath by improving public spaces and making it easier to get around.

“It has been developed with input from residents and local business people to make the town an even better place to live, work and trade.

"The project team will do everything they can to keep disruption to a minimum."

What is happening and when?

September 10 to November 27 Broadway repaved, trees planted and street lights replaced.

November 27 to December 24 Albion Road approach to Trinity Avenue to be partially completed by Christmas, before a break until January 24.

January and February Work on the shared junctions at Arnsberg Way.

February 22 to March 28 Work on a roundabout on Albion Road in front of Oaklands Car Park and the War Memorial.

April and May Improving the public space in front of Christ Church and improvements the junction between Broadway and Albion Road.

June Resurfacing the Broadway and Arnsberg way, done at night to minimise disruption.