Work is well underway to transform the Great Lines, Chatham, into the Great Lines Heritage Park.
The Great Lines has been a popular recreational space between Chatham and its neighbouring town, Gillingham, for centuries. Covering 70 hectares and bordered by famous heritage sites such as Fort Amherst and the Naval War Memorial, it is a key part of Chatham’s drive to attain World Heritage status for its significant maritime history.
The work follows extensive consultation with local residents throughout 2008, a great deal of planning and a £2 million cash injection from the government’s Department of Communities and Local Government. With a multi-disciplinary approach to construction, a history working with Medway Council and a tradition of success within the South East, Provian Construction was an obvious choice of contractor.
Current plans will see the transformation of the park into a truly valuable public asset. These include a new entrance to the park in Gillingham, new footpaths connecting the neighbouring towns and four hectares of previously fenced off land being opened to the public. Scrub clearance will take place to remove cover for anti-social behaviour and new seats, bins and signage will leave the park looking as good as new and fit for modern usage.
To reflect the Medway’s centuries old and continuing military heritage, the parks mixed boundaries of fence, hedge and wall are to be replaced with a low gabion wall. These fortifications have been used from the medieval era right up to forward operating bases in Afghanistan, making them a perfect symbol of military pedigree. To complement this, a new lighting scheme, visible from the park, will illuminate Fort Amherst and the Naval War Memorial.
The commencement of the works has been greeted with enthusiasm by Medway Council. Cllr Rodney Chambers, Leader of Medway Council, states “The Great Lines has played a significant role in Medway’s history and forms a major part of Chatham’s World Heritage Site application. Medway Council and the government’s Department of Communities and Local Government decision to invest in the Great Lines reflects the outstanding significance of Chatham's World Heritage and the major role it will play in Medway's future”.
Medway Council’s pride in the project is matched by Provian Construction. Andrew Rintoul, Site Manager for Provian Construction, comments, "We are delighted to be working with Medway Council again in such a prestigious, historic environment. We are especially pleased to be at the heart of the transformation of the Great Lines. We understand how important this project is to local residents and are glad to be helping growing numbers of people to enjoy the Great Lines Heritage Park".
Further work is proposed for next year, including a pedestrian bridge connecting Fort Amherst with the Naval War Memorial. As part of these works Fort Amherst will become a free to enter park from 2011.
The project is an example of Provian Construction’s ability to plan and deliver large scale public projects. With a skilled workforce that is capable of everything from groundworks to building coastal defences, it is proud to offer a total construction service.