Paving and planting
The original compound area (opposite McDonalds) has been improved with paving and planting, creating a new green area in the town centre.
Feature lighting
The installation of feature lighting has further transformed the town centre in the evening.
People can enjoy spending time in the improved public spaces which have new seating.
Repaved footways
The footways have been repaved, kerbs realigned and unnecessary street furniture removed making the town centre look significantly more vibrant.
Resurfaced high street
The high street has now been completely resurfaced, with the removal of the old concrete blocks taking less time than originally expected.
Replacement of block paving
Weekend road closures started on Friday 10 May to allow the safe replacement of block paving on the carriageway with a new asphalt surface.
Works completed so far during the closure period include:
- carriageway resurfaced and re-lined along length of Cuxton Road and into High Street up to Station Road
- new gullies installed
- kerbs realigned in high quality material
- granite paving slabs laid
- tactile paving installed for new crossings
- removal of traffic island and signals at Commercial Road/High Street in preparation for install of new crossing point
High Street
Works started on 24 September. Footway kerbs and paving have been replaced and the guard rail removed.
Traffic signs and road markings will be refreshed and improvements will be made to crossing points to improve pedestrian safety.
This includes:
- an upgraded crossing point at High Street, Gun Lane and Cuxton Road junction
- relocated pedestrian crossings from the central island to provide wider and safer facilities at the High Street/Commercial Road junction
- removal of traffic signals and replacement with a standalone zebra crossing on North Street and a signal crossing on High Street
- a signal crossing point at Wimpy and removal of the signal crossing at Iceland, as part of the existing signal junction
Works to resurface the carriageway, construct raised-table traffic calming features and upgrade the street lighting will be undertaken later this year.
Commercial Road with Knight Road
Alterations to improve traffic flow at this junction started on 18 August 2018.
Traffic signals and the dedicated left-turn lane have been removed and the road layout changed so that there is one ahead lane for westbound traffic and one lane for Knight Road.
Other key improvements include:
- resurfaced footways
- upgraded signalised pedestrian
- crossing by Commercial Road car park
- more zebra crossing points for pedestrians
Station Road junction with Commercial Road
Work has started to provide a larger, more accessible pedestrian island at this junction.
Further improvements will be made later this year, including:
- the planting of trees and high quality paving materials to enhance the area
- installation of extra lighting effects to create a gateway feature to tie in with future phases
Improvements to Gun Lane
Two new pedestrian islands with dropped kerbs and tactile paving have been constructed.
"Improvement works will help strengthen Strood's identity."
Love Strood free family event
Residents, visitors and businesses invited to celebrate the regeneration of Strood town centre with a free family fun day. The event showcased the completed improvements to the Commercial Road car park, Tolgate Lane and a new look Strood market.
"It’s exciting to see the community come together to celebrate a new beginning for Strood town centre."
Transformation of Commercial Road car park
The work included resurfacing the car park in high quality materials, realigning the pedestrian route through the car park and provision of new seating and planting.
"Improving the visitor experience will generate loyalty and help boost businesses in the town centre."
Strood train station re-opens
Strood's train station is the first new station building being delivered by Southeastern.
"We are delighted to open our fantastic new Strood station to improve stations and make the journey experience better for our passengers."
Innovation Studios Medway
The first phase of redevelopment along Strood Waterfront has been completed.
“We are very excited to be officially launching the Innovation Studios Strood, and I’m delighted that all of the pods have been snapped up."
Strood Community Hub opens
This project created a bright and vibrant public facing service for the residents of Strood.
Shortlisted for the 2016 Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors South East awards, this building had over 170,000 visitors in it’s first year of opening.
“This is really important for the community as it brings services closer to them. It will also improve footfall in the area, which will hopefully boost trade in the town centre.”
Strood Town Centre project begins
The project begins with the aim to enhance the quality of public spaces and improve the reliability of journey times through the town.