PROW NEWS – AUGUST UPDATES
A quiet month for new news. Meanwhile we still await even one decision on the many issues which are currently stuck in the Planning Inspectorate’s backlog.
- Betteshanger Colliery area – short-term closure/diversion of footpath EE367 (Northbourne parish)
To reiterate what Tony Bristow posted on Facebook on 18 July, a section of this path, which runs from Northbourne church to the Circular Road estate by Almond House, will be closed from 10 August until early next month. Coming from the Northbourne direction, on reaching the start of the woodland at GR 334 526, you will be diverted to the right, past the Biomass Boiler House, onto “Colliers Way”. Heading north-east, the diversion will eventually take another right turn to follow a path past the first lake which joins with footpath EE368 close to Betteshanger Road (which links to the A258 Sandwich road).
Caution!
The above is the official announcement. My walk in the area on 31 July revealed that the eastern end of the proposed temporary diversion is blocked by new housing development. Meanwhile the western end is also fenced off, and the path which appears to turn back on itself by the Biomass Boiler House does not exist. OK, the diversion does not come unto effect until 10 August, but I will be asking KCC for their views on this. My strong advice is that if you are walking from Northbourne towards Finglesham, then use footpath EE369 instead, and double back along EE368 past the lakes to reach Betteshanger Road.
Development issues:
- Betteshanger Park
As you probably know, the Park is currently up for sale. Its future was discussed by the Dover DC Scrutiny Committee on 13 July, and by Sholden Parish Council three days later. Basically, ways were discussed as to how to secure the Park’s long-term future, as some of its financial backers are concerned at the amount of money it is costing to run, and there is no legal obligation on the owners to continue operating it as a publicly accessible country park. A representative from Quinn Estates was at the Dover meeting, and apparently was very frank with the Committee. No doubt we will hear a lot more on this subject, but in the short term a working group will be set up to consider the issues involved.
- North Thanet Link Road
First proposed in 2023, an updated report just published has brought this back to public notice. The plan is to build a 6-mile relief road to the south of the current A28, from Manston Road, Margate (Coffin Corner) in the east, along the line of Shottendane Road, to the A28 west of Birchington via a new link. A spur will also run south-westwards, bypassing Acol village, which will cross the line of footpath TE16. Other issues affecting PROW will see footpath TM13 from south Garlinge to the new road at Twenties Cottage (GR 345 692) upgraded to bridleway, with a new connection to bridleway TM15 just across the carriageway from there.
Like so many similar projects, this has been subject to delay, but the latest target is for construction to begin in 2028, with completion in 2030.
As always, if you would like more details about any of the issues mentioned above, or any others for that matter, please contact Roger King on 07779 533 583, or e-mail roger.rambler89@outlook.com
