PROW NEWS – MAY 2023 UPDATES
- Footpath Volunteers’ Day (anyone interested is welcome) at Lenham, Saturday 13 May
This is probably the headline in an otherwise fairly quiet month. Local FP Officers (LFOs) and Parish FP Observers (PFOs) will already be aware of this, but for anyone with an interest in PROW matters, this is always an excellent and interesting day out.
The venue and programme (to tempt you?):
Lenham Community Centre, 12 Groom Way, Lenham, Maidstone, ME17 2QT
10:40 Doors Open. Refreshments.
11:00 Welcome and Introduction – Colin Sefton (Ramblers Kent Area)
11:10 Planning Applications including Solar Farms – Graham Rusling (KCC)
11:40 Parish Council Perspective – Sarah Barker
12:10 Damage to the Path Surface: Rights, Responsibilities and Remedies – Graham Rusling
12:40 Lunch
13:30 British Horse Society – Working Together – Sarah Rayfield & Anne Rillie
14:00 Local Issues, viz:
14:00 Named Walks Project
14:10 Donation of Gates
14:20 Lost Ways
14:30 Mapping for LFOs and PFOs
14:40 Scope of PFO and LFO Roles
14:50 Open Forum
15.15 Finish
All refreshments are free, too! To book, please e-mail prow.seminars@kentramblers.org.uk
2. Minor diversions of footpaths EE291/E291A in Aylesham
These are minor changes, just north of the village centre, due to yet more development here. Happily Dover DC, who had a record of messing up such diversion orders, have now asked KCC to handle such path orders.
3. Temporary closure of Ramsgate footpath TR26
Probably of interest only to members resident locally, this short path – between the old and new Haine Roads – should be open again some time in June.
4. Ramsgate TRX6 – handrail missing from the steps
This short urban path, from Madeira Walk down to the Harbour Parade, has often in the past been obstructed to some extent by café tables etc.at the foot of the steps, by the Harbour. Now the handrail for the steep steps has vanished, but KCC are looking into it and a replacement (much needed) will hopefully be supplied soon.
5. Temporary closure of bridleway ER233 from the main A258 through to the Blue Pigeons Farm, Worth
Mentioned last month, various people have now made various representations about the continued temporary closure of this very long and very useful though route – due to “some erosion of the watercourse banks by beavers”. KCC appear to have no precedent for such a thing. Looks like an ideal subject to raise with the KCC PROW supremo at Lenham.
6. Local Planning Issues
No huge developments this month and of course the District Council elections and aftermath will add further delays.
Two issues I have picked up:
– The original application for housing between London Road, Sholden, and Mongeham Road would have been rejected, but of course it has been overtaken by the lodging of a new one (23/00111).
– The proposed Waldershare Deer Park (22/01567) has attracted multiple objections, and a local Councillor has asked that it be “called in” = greater scrutiny, more delay.
7. PROW issues “in the pipeline”
A quick reminder of some of them (no “new news” this month):
- The resolution of multiple orders made last year in Staple and Goodnestone parishes to create brand new byways in the Little Twitham area, upgrade some existing bridleways to restricted byway status, and also upgrade to bridleway the footpath from Staple church to Claypits. I suspect objections have been received.
- The proposed diversion of Alkham footpath ER150 at Chalksole Green.
- The proposed upgrading to bridleway of the long footpath south of the old Bishopsbourne station.
- The proposed brand new footpath from Gore Lane, Eastry, to Hammill.
- The proposed closure of the railway crossing on Birchington footpath TM37.
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
