PROW NEWS – APRIL 2023 UPDATES
- Confirmation of ER81 Shepherdswell diversion
This diversion was made necessary by the building of new housing in the field just south-west of the Village Hall (planning application DOV/20/1508). KCC have now certified (under the 1990 Town & Country Planning Act) that the diversion is in place and fit for purpose, so we will no longer be walking round the field edge adjoining Coxhill Road. Ironically this “roadside” rerouting was something we opposed back in 2017. But I guess we would rather have that than yet more housing to negotiate, as the path now passes around the SW and SE boundaries of the new estate..
- Temporary closure of footpaths HF8 and HF56 at Sandgate
This short connecting footpath, which runs from Military Road at GR 202 355 south-east to footpath HF69 at GR 203 354, is closed again (it was in 2022) until what is likely to be the end of the summer. Just westwards from here, a 75 yard section of footpath HF56, around the south-east of the Martello Tower, is also closed. Reason: the inevitable (it seems) “development works”.
- Continued “temporary” closure of Sandwich restricted byway ES10
This restricted byway, as now downgraded, runs from St Bart’s Road at GR 327 575 through to Woodnesborough Road. It has already been closed for over two years due to the adjacent major building works, but closure is now extended yet again – until September.
- Temporary closure of bridleway ER233 from the main A258 through to the Blue Pigeons Farm, Worth
We were dismayed to hear of the temporary closure, at very short notice, of this very long and very useful though route – over a mile in length. Restricted byway EE495 from the old Coach & Horses pub to the pumping station is still open, but now effectively a cul-de-sac. We are told that the reason for closure is that the bank(s) of some of the watercourses en route have been undermined by beavers, but local opinion is that this amounts to no more than “just a few holes”. KCC appear to have been wrongfooted by this, as they say have no guidance or precedent for such a situation. Meanwhile we are making representations to the effect that such a major closure is in fact a sledgehammer to crack the proverbial nut.
Other than these four items, there is no new news this month on the many PROW – and development – issues which I have mentioned previously. If it’s another quiet month in April, I may publish a “reminder” list with the May updates.
Meanwhile, if you would like more details of these or any other PROW issues, please contact Roger King on 01304 362730, or by email at roger.rambler89@outlook.com
