The Dartford Joint Transportation Board met to discuss updates on various transport and infrastructure projects in the borough. Key discussion points included updates on roadworks, bus services, and the Bean Road Tunnel. The board also reviewed the progress of several highway improvement schemes.

Bus Service Updates

The board received updates from representatives of Arriva, Go-Ahead (Fastrack), and Go-Coach, three of the main bus service providers in the borough, regarding their current and future service provisions.

Arriva

Michael Jennings, Head of Commercial at Arriva, provided an overview of Arriva's bus services, noting that Arriva operates Transport for London (TfL) bus services from the Dartford depot and local bus services from the Northfleet depot. Key points from the presentation included:

• Overall punctuality on routes in 2025 to date was 84.2%.
• Most bus services operated commercially, except for route 414A, which runs as a school bus under contract to Kent County Council (KCC).
• Full electrification of the Northfleet depot buses would cost £15-20 million, requiring external funding.

• Challenges included the Galley Hill Road closure, cost inflation, traffic congestion, increased road parking, and changing travel patterns.

  Councillor Brian Garden, DBC (Chairman), requested more information on actions to address unreliability on route 477 and changes affecting service to Bluewater. A member raised concerns about the lack of consultation on terminating bus route 489 and suggested more frequent discussions with Arriva. Another member inquired about the potential for increased frequency on route 477 during peak times, while another asked if route 497 had been cancelled and if KCC could subsidise it due to its importance for access to Ebbsfleet Academy. Michael Jennings responded that he would provide updates on route 477 and the Bluewater service. He acknowledged the need for better communication between Arriva and KCC. He stated that additional services on routes 477 and 483 were not commercially viable, and that Arriva had notified KCC about the cancellation of route 489, citing low passenger numbers even before the COVID pandemic.

Go-Ahead (Fastrack)

Isobel Hedley-Jones, Head of Fastrack, presented an introduction to the Fastrack service, which is based on 'Bus Rapid Transit' principles. Fastrack aims to bridge the gap between local bus services and mainline train services for the large-scale house building in these growing commuter towns. The service operates between Dartford and Gravesend, using busways funded through Section 106 agreements¹ with housing developers. The final busway was due to be built in Castle Hill in August 2025.

Go-Coach

Adam Shellard-Dedman of Go-Coach provided an overview of their bus services in North West Kent, highlighting that Go-Coach is the largest independent bus operator in Kent and runs local buses, including demand-response services. Go-Coach operates the following routes:

• GC1 Greenhithe-Ebbsfleet
• 429 West Kingsdown-Swanley-Dartford
• 470 Longfield-Bluewater-Darenth
• 479 New Ash Green-Bluewater

• 489 New Ash Green-Gravesend

  Other routes included 414B, D12, D29, and D40. He also detailed Go2, a demand-response transport service covering areas such as Ebbsfleet Green, Castle Hill, Ebbsfleet International, Swanscombe, Greenhithe, Bluewater, Darent Valley Hospital, Stone Crossing Station, Springhead, and Northfleet. Since its launch in February 2025, the service had received 19,766 ride requests with a high average passenger rating. Adam Shellard-Dedman also provided information on Kent Karrier, a dial-a-ride service operated by Go-Coach on behalf of KCC for individuals with medical conditions, those in rural areas, or those aged 85 and over. A member asked about traffic congestion affecting the GC1 route, while another inquired about the number of responses for Go-Coach service ratings and complaints regarding the accessibility of routes 470 and 479. Adam Shellard-Dedman responded that traffic congestion was generally not an issue on the GC1 route, but it could be reviewed. He noted that complaints about routes 470 and 479 were relatively low, with a demand-response service being a possible alternative.

Other Bus Services

The board also noted that 1st Bus Stop operates three socially necessary bus routes (D1, D2, and D3) in the borough, providing transport access for rural areas, especially for pensioners. Additionally, Transport for London (TfL) operates four bus routes in the borough, providing residents with access to areas in London.

A member requested an update on the opening of a new bus stop in West Hill, expressing concerns about TfL's potential reservations. The Principal Transport Planner stated that he was unaware of any plans to halt the project and would follow up with TfL.

Roadworks in Dartford

Andrew Walters, KCC Highways Manager for Dartford and Gravesham, provided an update on current and planned roadworks in the borough. He informed the Board that KCC Cabinet were in the process of considering the Highways Strategy and the new KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport had met with KCC Highways officers. He highlighted that the Highways Forward Work Programme is a standing item for each Board meeting.

A member asked for an update on how the £54 million allocated to KCC for pothole repairs was being spent and the number of reported potholes in the borough. Andrew Walters responded that £330,000 had been allocated for Dartford to address potholes, with the number of reported potholes being compiled.

Bean Road Tunnel

Andrew Walters also provided an update on the Bean Road Tunnel project, noting that the two options identified in the tendering process were still under consideration.

Highway Forward Works Programme

The Highway Forward Works Programme report updated members on identified schemes approved for construction in 2024/25 and 2025/26. The report detailed various projects, including:

• Road, Footway & Cycleway Renewal and Preservation Schemes
• Drainage Repairs & Improvements
• Street Lighting
• Transportation and Safety Schemes
• Developer Funded Works
• Bridge Works
• Traffic Systems
• Combined Members Grant – Member Highway Fund
• Road Markings

Road, Footway and Cycleway Renewal and Preservation Schemes

Several road resurfacing projects were completed or programmed, including:

• A225 Princes Road in Stone and Dartford
• B260 Green Street Green Road in Darenth
• A2018 Old Bexley Lane in Dartford
• Hawley Road in Sutton at Hone
• A296 Watling Street in Stone

Footway improvements were completed on James Road and Windsor Drive in Dartford, with ongoing works on Riverside Way.

Surface treatments were completed on Clement Street, Darenth Road, Overy Street, School Lane, Denton Road and Puddledock Lane.

Drainage Repairs & Improvements

Various drainage repairs and improvements were completed, including works on Bob Dunn Way, Hallford Way, Green Street Green Road, Charles Street, Manor Way, Chatsworth Road, Betsham Road, Summerhouse Drive, Hythe Street, Leyton Cross Road and Priory Road.

Street Lighting

Structural testing identified several streetlights requiring replacement, with completion dates planned by 28 February 2026.

Transportation and Safety Schemes

Casualty reduction measures were implemented, including enhanced road markings and traffic signs at the A226 St Clements Way/London Road roundabout in Greenhithe and the A225/Park Road/B260 roundabout in Dartford.

Developer Funded Works

Several developer-funded projects were underway, including new carriageway and footway provisions on Hedge Place Road in Stone, alterations to the existing access for the Lidl store on Instone Road in Dartford, and improvements to the access to serve the Acacia Hall site on Darenth Road in Dartford.

Bus Services Bill

A member referred to the government's Bus Services Bill, suggesting it could provide solutions to current bus service issues by empowering local authorities to run their own bus franchises. Councillor Brian Garden noted that the bill was still progressing through Parliament. A KCC member stated that a strong evidence base would be needed before KCC considered operating its own bus franchise.