Dover Priory overhead charger sits idle as tight turning circle blocks £34 million Fastrack electric buses
By Eve
A government funded overhead pantograph charger installed at Dover Priory railway station for the new £34 million Fastrack service linking Whitfield and Dover remains unused because Stagecoach drivers cannot safely position the zero emission buses close enough to the kerb. Kent County Council acknowledges the turning circle is tighter than ideal and has committed to realigning the curved kerb to enable access. The charger is designed to lower onto the bus roof for rapid battery top ups.
Why it matters: The case highlights infrastructure planning gaps that can delay return on investment in charging assets and disrupt service reliability for operators deploying electric fleets. It underscores the need for site surveys that account for vehicle swept paths and driver manoeuvring constraints before charger commissioning.