Street upgrade expanded and could now cost £4m
Maidstone council could spend £4m upgrading streets in the town centre, after taking a decision to expand its public realm project.
The council had planned to improve Gabriels Hill and the north part of Week Street, between Fremlin Walk and Maidstone East Station, costing £3.1m.
But members of the policy and resources committee decided to add in the south section of Week Street at an additional cost of £900,000, although they hope to gain some of this money from outside sources.
As well as new paving, benches and trees, the scheme will see the way to Maidstone Museum indicated by iguanodon footprints on the pavement and a timeline in the centre of the road recording significant dates in the town’s history.
The iguanodon is synonymous with the town since the remains of a huge creature were discovered during a quarry excavation in 1834.
Chief executive Alison Broom said she had approached KCC to see whether it would contribute and been encouraged by the response, although nothing was promised. There was also the possibility a bid could be made for the next round of Local Enterprise Partnership funding and money could come from developers via Section 106 payments.
Cllr Matt Boughton (Con) was concerned at the uncertainty around the funding and how much of the bill the borough would end up footing itself.
Cllr Annabelle Blackmore (Con) suggested town centre businesses might like to contribute by forming a business improvement district and raising funds through the rates. Councillors heard an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for sup- port had been rejected. Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) warned against having “bleak, new town chic” and said the makeover should reflect all the town’s history and culture and “not just dates of battles”. He pressed for – and won – the right for ward councillors from High Street, North and East wards to be consulted on the details of the design at an early stage.
Cllrs Blackmore and Boughton asked their dissent from the decision be noted. The council will now seek tenders for the scheme, which is phase three of the public realm project. Two earlier phases saw improvements to Jubilee Square, Remembrance Square and the High Street.