PROW NEWS – November 2024 UPDATES
After several quiet months we now have a lot happening – mostly proposed new routes, which is very positive. I have included a couple of items from just outside White Cliffs official “territory”, but they are in areas where we often walk.
- Order made to create a new footpath connecting two Kingsdown bridleways
For years we have used a short (50 yards) path connecting bridleways ER23 and ER24 at Kingsdown. The south end (the ER24 junction) is just beyond the southern end of the metalled Victoria Road at GR 373 477, and it’s normally used by people walking north-westwards through Kingsdown Wood and onward towards Ringwould. This order would designate the link as a PROW, including the short distance between ER24 and Victoria Road.
- Order made to create a new restricted byway east of Westmarsh (Ash EE501)
Proposed creation of a restricted byway along the whole length of Corner Drove, an established track. This runs from Ware Road (a lane SE of Westmarsh) at GR 284 608, for a mile northwards out onto the Stour Levels, allowing an easy connection with footpath EE65 at GR 285 677, just south of the river.
- Order made to upgrade part of Ash footpath EE66 east of Westmarsh to restricted byway status (as EE502)
This is the eastern section of EE66, from the Corner Drove track, east of Westmarsh at GR 285 614, eastwards for 1/3 mile to Paramour Street at GR 290 616. The route is already a grassy/dirt track on the ground.
- Order made to create a new bridleway south of the Alkham Valley Road (Hawkinge HE376)
This would create a new bridleway on an existing track. This runs from a point on the Alkham Valley Road opposite Church Lane at GR 227 392, generally SE for 800 yards up to Cutthroat Lane at GR 232 388. The latter is another existing track (with public access rights) running from a point further east on the Alkham Valley Road through to Crete Road East above Folkestone, and the NDW.
- Order made to create a new restricted byway (HE375) north of Ottinge (Elham parish)
This would run from Millhill Farm at GR 167 428 north-west to Mount Farm at GR 162 433. If approved, this effectively makes the whole route from Canterbury Road (the main Elham Valley Road) through to Magpie Lane into a PROW – where it is not already classed as a public road.
- Order made to create a new bridleway south of Stelling Minnis (HE374)
This would run from a point on Eastleigh Court Road (opposite the corner of Eastleigh Wood at GR 143 454) 250 yards ENE to Sandy Lane at GR 145 455. Then, from almost opposite that point in Sandy Lane, SSE for another 265 yards to High Minnis (the main Rhodes Minnis to Stelling Minnis Road), just south of Wheelbarrow Town at GR 148 453.
- Proposed creation of a new footpath south of Kingston along the old Elham Valley Railway track
This proposal would create a 1/4 mile footpath from the end of footpath CB542 at GR 199 510, over the old railway bridge above Covet Lane, and into Barham parish, essentially along the trackbed of the former Elham Valley Railway. It would run SE as far as the track carrying bridleway CB230 at GR 201 508.
- Eastry footpath EE262 to Shingleton Farm – extinguishment confirmed
This ran from the A256 to Chillenden road at its junction with Thornton Lane (GR 288 523), north-west to Shingleton Farm (GR 287 526). As a cul-de-sac route it got almost no use from walkers, being also blocked in places, so will not be a huge loss.
- Development proposals affecting PROW
“Green light for 64 more new houses at Sholden and 8 at East Langdon”
This was the headline following the Dover DC Planning Committee meeting on 10 October. In reality the Sholden development, on the SW side of the main A258 opposite Sholden Drive, is contained between footpaths EE386/ED37 and EE389/ED48, both of which run SW down into the valley north of Mongeham. No diversions will be needed. Similarly at East Langdon, where the new houses near the Recreation Ground will be close to footpath ER47 but not actually interfere with it. But of course, any rural feel that the paths may have at present will be lost.
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
