A new rapid bus service has been voted through.

Kent County Council's planning committee today (Wednesday) approved plans for Dover Fastrack, which will connect Whitfield with Dover town centre and Dover Priory railway station.

This area will have the county’s second Fastrack rapid bus transit service following the success of the scheme in Dartford.

Dover Fastrack aims to help boost the delivery of new homes in Whitfield and at the former Connaught Barracks site, along with commercial development on the White Cliffs Business Park in Whitfield.

The project is backed by the government with £16.1m funding from Homes England.

The approved application includes a new 1km road connecting the Whitfield Urban Expansion to the Tesco roundabout at Honeywood Parkway.

This is via a new overbridge over the A2, and a new 1.1km road connecting the B&Q roundabout on Honeywood Parkway to Dover Road, near Frith Farm at Guston.

The bridge over the A2 and the junction with Honeywood Parkway at the Tesco roundabout, will be for use by buses, pedestrians, cycles and emergency vehicles only.

The use of the junction with Dover Road will be restricted to use by buses, pedestrians, cycles, emergency vehicles and farm traffic associated with Frith Farm only.

Buildig is expected to start early next year with the first buses running from summer 2023.

Cllr Michael Payne, KCC cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’m delighted this public transport scheme has been approved under our Fastrack brand, itself already a proven format providing a quality service.

“This project between Kent County Council and Dover District Council shows partnership working at its best.

“This scheme will offer a big opportunity for the way people travel around Dover with buses having priority on the proposed express route as well as encouraging more cycling and walking in the area.”

Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC’s portfolio holder for transport, licensing and community, said: “This is a major step forward for our plans to improve public transport links between Whitfield and Dover town centre.

“Dover Fastrack will provide a real alternative to the car for local journeys with a reliable, high-quality bus service connecting with the town centre and high-speed train services from Dover Priory.

“It will be good for the environment too, helping the council to meet its ambition to see the district become carbon neutral.”

Kent's first Fastrack service began in March 2006, linking Dartford and Gravesend with the Bluewater shopping complex.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover