PROW NEWS – JULY 2023 UPDATES
1 Order now made to upgrade Goodnestone bridleway EE269 to byway status
It runs from Goodnestone Road/ Cave Lane in the north (GR 256 555), south to the junction of the Adisham and Ratling roads (GR 247 542). The bridleway (EE269A) immediately to the north of this route is currently the subject of a similar upgrading order. And another order has been made to create new byways northwards past Little Twitham to the Staple-Wingham road. But none of these claims has yet been determined.
2 Claim of a new restricted byway in Eastry, from Great Selson Farm north to Drainless Rd.
This latest Hugh Craddock claim is already a well-marked track, connecting Selson Lane west of Eastry village at GR 300 556 with the road to from Eastry to Staple at GR 305 560.
3 Diversion of Elham footpath HE373 confirmed
A minor diversion of this footpath from mid-field to the eastern boundary of a field used for horses – actually bringing it closer to the next footpath going east (HE100). Situated just north of Magpie Lane at GR 157 431, close to Rhodes Minnis.
4 Temporary closure of bridleway EE233 from the main A258 through to the Blue Pigeons Farm, Worth – the beaver issue
There has been some movement on this issue in the last month. KCC’s Heather Waller said very recently: “There is no barring of the route as in fencing, so it is technically open, but we must advise of the danger and do the formalities for the purpose of insurance. The hole in the path has been marked on the ground but we don’t know what else is there and given it’s a bridleway, could easily be a bigger concern if the path fell away in another section. When we close a path, we close the whole route as it would be an inconvenience if someone started out and could proceed initially, but then had to turn around again.” The actual main hole is between the pumping station and the bridge at Roaring Gutter, on the western side of the water courses. So one can (in theory if no more holes found) safely walk between the A258 and the pumping station and return via restricted byway EE495 to the newly reopened “Coach” pub. And it would be possible to do a circuit from Worth using footpath EE456, crossing the footbridge and walking back along EE233 to Blue Pigeons Farm. So perhaps things are not as bad as we first thought.
5 Proposed Waldershare Park Deer Park
This has caused concern amongst a significant number of people fearing a detrimental effect of the proposed fencing and gates on usage of bridleway ER97, and more especially ER96, the North Downs Way. We still don’t know when the issue will come before the Dover DC Planning Committee, but it is certain to be discussed in detail. Councillor Pam Brivio, who has a particular interest in walking issues, is keeping a close eye on this one and has specifically asked officers when the case may be heard.
6 Improvements to paths at Langdon Cliffs
Recent publicity highlighted the fact that a 2.2 Km stretch of path in this area, forming part of the England Coastal Path, had been upgraded this spring. The £150,000 spend came as a grant from a fund set up to boost off-season tourism. The main works included surfacing of a potentially slippery route, replacing most steps by ramps and improving gradients. Turf removed to create the 1.8-metre-wide footpath has been relocated to previously eroded areas to help restore the protected Chalk Grassland.
Meanwhile still no “new news” this month on any of the many other outstanding PROW change issues, or other major planning issues locally.
So in the meantime, 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
