News Work begins on new pocket parks in Maidstone
Work is set to begin on three new pocket parks in Maidstone Town centre.
The parks will be created in St Faith's Street, Brewer Street and Union Street. The project forms part of Maidstone Borough Council's ongoing commitment to improving the town centre environment and helping communities adapt to increasingly extreme weather.
Recent summers have seen rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves across the UK, highlighting the importance of making urban areas more resilient to climate change.
Research shows that shaded, tree-lined streets can feel several degrees cooler than areas dominated by concrete and tarmac, helping people stay comfortable during increasingly frequent periods of extreme heat.
The new pocket parks will introduce trees, planting and sustainable rain gardens into areas currently dominated by hard surfaces. As well as increasing biodiversity and creating more attractive public spaces, the schemes will help manage rainwater more naturally.
The sustainable drainage features are designed to slow, store and absorb rainfall, reducing pressure on drainage systems during heavy downpours and helping the town centre adapt to increasingly intense rainfall events.
The scheme will transform underused areas of highway into attractive places for people to stop, relax and feel more connected to their environment.
The parks will do more than just help people stay cool in a heatwave. They will support nature the heart of the town centre, creating stepping stones for wildlife and helping pollinators and other species move more easily between habitats.
To allow the work to be carried out safely, temporary road closures will be required. St Faith's Street will be closed between Week Street and Station Road, with smaller closures affecting parts of Brewer Street and Union Street. The work is expected to take around six weeks to complete.
Councillor Clive English, Deputy Leader for Maidstone Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement, said: "As temperatures continue to rise and extreme weather becomes more common, it is important that we invest in greener, more resilient public spaces. These pocket parks will bring more trees and planting into the heart of Maidstone, helping to create a cooler, more attractive and welcoming town centre for everyone.
"The works will cause some short-term disruption, and I would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience. We appreciate that road closures can be inconvenient, but the long-term benefits will be enjoyed for years to come as we create greener streets and better public spaces in the heart of our county town."
The council would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during construction and will work closely with contractors to keep disruption to a minimum while the improvements are delivered.
Once complete, the three pocket parks will provide lasting environmental, social and public realm benefits for all.