District set for dozens of new bus shelters

Bus passengers are set to benefit from new or upgraded shelters at almost 40 bus stops in the Canterbury district following a successful city council bid for £258,000 of funding.

The major improvement to waiting facilities is an important element of the council’s bus-led transport strategy, which aims to encourage more people out of their cars and onto public transport.

The locations for new or enhanced shelters have been chosen following requests from members of the public, as well as the local knowledge of council officers and ward councillors, as long as they fit some basic criteria.

These include the presence of a pavement or a verge, enough space to accommodate a shelter and still allow room for pedestrians to walk past it, and the likely level of use by passengers.

The council will be looking for a company to install the shelters via its usual tender process, with the winning bidder to start work this autumn and complete on site by March 2027.

Bidders will be invited to put forward design proposals as part of this process.

Cabinet member for transport, Cllr Mel Dawkins, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. I am so pleased we are going to be able to provide better waiting facilities for so many bus passengers with this money. It is something that is raised with us frequently by residents.

“A lot of factors go into deciding whether to use the buses, and while a reliable and punctual service are two key examples, knowing you’re not going to get drenched while waiting for it to arrive is right up there too.

“And because we’ve chosen many of the sites using feedback from our residents, we know the demand is there and that they are going to be well used.

“Many people who only use cars do not comprehend the reality of the need for a proper shelter and view of approaching buses when they also have mobility issues.

“With a fair wind behind us, we hope to have the vast majority of them installed by the time we get to late autumn and winter, when they will really come into their own.”

The cash the council applied for is coming from Kent County Council’s countywide Bus Service Improvement Plan funding from central government, £3 million of which was earmarked for bus shelter improvements.

KCC’s Deputy Cabinet member for highways and transport, Spencer Dixon, said: “This funding is about making everyday journeys easier and more comfortable for people who rely on buses.

“We’re pleased to support Canterbury City Council with this investment, which will make a real difference for residents by providing safer, more comfortable places to wait and helping to encourage greater use of public transport.

“KCC ran a shelter grant scheme for district and parish councils as we understand the importance they can have on the overall passenger experience.

“We look forward to seeing the improvements delivered in Canterbury as well as in a number of other districts across the county where grant funding has also been awarded under our Bus Service Improvement Plan.”

The locations of the new or improved shelters are as follows:

Ye Olde Beverlie, Canterbury (pictured above)
Archbishop’s School (x2), Canterbury
Downs Road, Canterbury (north east bound)
Headcorn Drive, Canterbury (opposite Halstead Close)
Forty Acres Road, Canterbury (junction with Pine Tree Avenue)
Longmeadow Way (x2), Canterbury
Kingsmead Road, Canterbury (leisure centre)
Kingsmead Road, Canterbury (outside EDF energy)
Westgate Court Avenue, Canterbury (outside Joseph Conrad House)
Ashford Road, Thanington
A257 Barton Court School, Canterbury
A257 St Martin’s Hill, Canterbury (west of Windmill Road)
A257 St Martin’s Hospital (x2), Canterbury
Nackington Road, Canterbury (The Gap)
Queens Avenue (x2), Canterbury
Beech Avenue, Chartham
St Edmund’s School, Canterbury (opposite St Thomas’ Hill)
Borstal Hill, Whitstable (Tollgate, north east bound)
Oxford Road, Whitstable (outside the Co-op)
Tankerton Road, Whitstable (east bound)
Sea Street (x2), Herne Bay
The Broadway (x2), Herne Bay
Station Road, Herne Bay (north of junction with Spenser Road)
Queens Court, Canterbury Road, Herne Bay
Reculver Road, Herne Bay (Cornwallis Avenue stop)
Talmead Road, Herne Bay
Sainsbury’s, Herne Bay
A291 Wildwood (x2), Herne
Chestfield Road (x2), (The Leas stop)
A257 Bramling (The Haywain stop)

Although no permission is required, the council will write to the owners of homes where shelters are being installed outside as a courtesy, and would consider not proceeding with a particular location if a serious and legitimate objection was lodged.

Published: 22 May 2026