The Bridge, Dartford Location Marsh Street North, Dartford, Kent DA1 5PF Contact Details Contact: Paul Weston Tel: 0121 224 8700 Email: pweston@prologis.com Website: www.thebridgedartford.co.uk Summary The Bridge is a 264-acre mixed-use development set in the heart of the Thames Gateway. Designed to attract new, knowledge-based industries to North Kent, The Bridge provides 328,000 square feet of specialised science park accommodation along with 710,000 square feet of flexible office space. Recognising that 21st century science park users are seeking to be part of a thriving community, ProLogis and Dartford Borough Council – the joint venture partners at The Bridge – developed the masterplan to create a diverse, lively neighbourhood where people not only want to work, but also to live and to spend their leisure time. Located at Junction 1a of the M25, The Bridge integrates 1.8 million square feet of office, science park and industrial space with 1,500 new homes and facilities such as a local shopping centre, a hotel and a Learning and Community Campus. The entire development is set within 80 acres of open space, while the different areas are linked by footpaths, cycle ways and the award-winning Fastrack public transport system. Balancing the needs of commercial occupiers and residents with a thoughtful approach to the natural environment, The Bridge meets many of the Government's criteria for sustainable communities and has been selected as the site for SusCon and the Institute for Sustainability. Located at the heart of Europe's largest eco-region and with the pioneering facilities provided by SusCon and the Institute for Sustainability, The Bridge has the potential to become a new centre for green technologies. SusCon and the Institute for Sustainability SusCon is a training and resource centre for sustainable construction that has been developed to address the shortage of green skills that are necessary to create low carbon, sustainable communities. The building, which reflects this pioneering approach, is one of the most sustainable education facilities in the UK and a learning tool in its own right. The Institute is a world-class centre of excellence for independent sustainability research and the dissemination of knowledge. Bringing together leading experts from academia and business, it aims to develop practical and affordable technologies, systems and services that can be readily implemented in the Thames Gateway. Encouraging an Entrepreneurial Culture The Bridge has been designed to help developing companies to grow; for this reason, the first commercial building on site was the Nucleus innovation centre, which provides business space along with a wide range of commercial support services. Offering access to funding, masterclasses and facilities such as an iLab to stimulate creative thinking, the Nucleus has established an environment where growing businesses have every opportunity for success. Expanding beyond the Nucleus, these companies can move their operations into specialised science and technology space, or – if more appropriate – to the office or industrial park. Wherever a company may be in its growth cycle, it will find the right facilities at The Bridge.