Bridge near Dartford station set for replacement
A footbridge located near Dartford station is set for replacement according to a report before Dartford Council.
A meeting next week will discuss the plan to replace an existing footbridge over the River Darent connecting Station Approach and Overy Street near Wickes.
The bridge is around 40 years old with planning permission granted on 3rd December 1985. The bridge was in place soon after though issues soon arose due to the sloping nature of the bridge:
“Within a couple of years this design caused movement problems which were remedied soon after opening by installing softwood posts bolted to the side of the original trestle legs with galvanised steels bolted to the new struts and concreted into raised pad blocks.”
By 2014 issues around rotting wood had emerged alongside rust.
According to Dartford Council “The existing timber footbridge needs regular remedial repairs due to its age and materials, requiring regular investment by the Council.
In addition it’s not accessible to all: “The bridge fails to enhance the River Darent and the riverside path, and cannot be used by wheelchair users, people with mobility issues, pushchairs and cycles.”
Repairs have needed to be made since the bridge was installed back in 1985. In the recent past issues have grown.
It also mentions usage levels in 2025: “A count placed adjacent to the access ramp to the bridge, on Station Approach Road, carried out between March and June 2025, indicates that approximately 3000 people use this bridge on a weekday between 06.00 and 22.00 hours and 300-575 people use this route during the 07:00-08.00 morning peak hour.”
Funding
The next stage is to move towards a replacement bridge.
Funding from the Community Infrastructure Levy paid by developers when building new developments is being looked at to cover in full or in part the design, delivery and construction of the bridge.
A large number of homes have been built nearby over the past decade bringing CIL funding to the council, with the footbridge acting as a key link from some homes to Dartford station.
The council will discuss future steps this coming week.
This is brilliant news as a homeowner from nearby Central Road. But there should be some attention going towards the underpass by the County Court. This has been flooded for over a month. Surely drain maintenance isn’t that expensive?