New Chartham to Canterbury shared use pedestrian/cycle route

Construction update (October 2009)

The section of path around the edge of Toddlers Cove car park was built in 2008 as this provided benefits to pedestrians.

In July 2009 Kent Highway Services started constructing the shared use cycle/pedestrian/disabled route to Chartham starting at Toddler's Cove in Canterbury.  The route has to be constructed in phases because of the funding allocation.  During 2009, it is intended to construct as far west as Tonford Lane where there is an existing bridge into Thanington.

It is also hoped that with the funds that are available for this year we will be able to provide:

• A new piled river wall to widen the path by the old railway line abutment
• A bridge across a wide drainage ditch on the route, and
• A bridge over the Stour into Wincheap Industrial Estate at Staples.

As of October 2009, this construction is still ongoing and there is currently a gap in the path where the bridge over the drainage ditch is to be constructed.  The bridge will be built and then the path will then be provided up to it.  The path continues west of this point although currently it is necessary to go off line to use it.

The new riverside route can be viewed by looking at this Chartham to Canterbury map.

Public consultation

In 2007, public consultation was carried out for the proposed shared use pedestrian/cycle route between Chartham and Canterbury and took place at Chartham Village Hall in 2007.

• Scheme
• Benefits
• Where will it go?
• Who is promoting the scheme?
• How much will it cost?
• Which landowners have been involved?
• How can I give my views?
• What progress has already been made?
• Contact us

Scheme

A new three-mile shared use pedestrian/cycle route will be provided between Chartham and Canterbury resulting in a pleasant rural path along the River Stour.  It would also improve National Cycle Route 18 by providing a more direct and attractive traffic-free route that would be easier and safer for cyclists and walkers.

The current signed cycle route between Chartham and Canterbury goes along Cockering Road which is busy and undulating with high vehicle speeds, and also goes along the heavily trafficked A28 through Thanington and Wincheap.

National Cycle Route 18 continues towards Ashford, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.

Construction commenced in summer 2009 and it is envisaged that the section between Toddlers Cove and Tonford Lane will be completed in this initial phase.

Benefits

The benefits of this project would include:

• Reductions in pollution and traffic congestion
• Increased tourism and economic benefits
• A new enjoyable recreational asset
• Greater access for disabled people and wheelchair users
• Improved health

The scheme would be an important transport route and we expect a large number of people who use the route on weekdays will be on their way to work, school, college or the shops.  It is also hoped that it will encourage more people to enjoy the countryside along the river and will make it easier for people to access the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In time, it is likely that the popular Stour Valley Walk will be diverted along the whole length of the route.

With Chartham railway station nearby, people could also combine a train journey with a cycle ride to or from Canterbury.

It is likely that the route would be used mainly by local people, but it would also be promoted to visitors and a promotional leaflet would be produced. 

Where will it go?

The route would start at Chartham next to the Village Hall and would follow the existing public footpath that runs along next to the river.

At the Milton Manor embankment it would leave the public footpath and go under the A28 towards Thanington Lakes, and then along the river towards Tonford.  The Tonford bridge would be ramped to improve access on and off the route.

The route would then continue along the riverside through Hambrook Marsh and Whitehall Meadow. The path would emerge at Toddler's Cove where it would join the lightly trafficked Whitehall Road, linking up with existing National Cycle Route 1 (towards Canterbury city centre and the Crab &
Winkle Way towards Whitstable).

The construction of a new bridge near Staples (next to Wincheap Park and Ride) would provide another link into Canterbury. The route would go through Wincheap Industrial Estate, eventually linking up with the recently constructed new cycle routes through the new Telephone House and old Tannery residential areas. These, in turn, would link up with the existing cycle route network in the city centre.

The new riverside route can be viewed by looking at this Chartham to Canterbury map (950kb file).

Who is promoting the scheme?

The project is being developed by a partnership of organisations including Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council, Kentish Stour Countryside Project and Sustrans.

Funding

The scheme is currently funded by the following organisations:

• Brett Environment Trust Landfill Tax
• Canterbury City Council
• Environment Agency
• European Regional Development Funds
• Kent County Council
• Kent Highway Services
• Sustrans

Which landowners have been involved?

The following landowners have given their permission for the scheme to go across their land:

• Canterbury and District Enterprise Trust
• Canterbury City Council
• Chartham Parish Council
• Mr and Mrs John Griffin, Kent Sectional Buildings
• Network Rail
• Robert Brett & Sons

How can I give my views?

A planning application was resubmitted by Kent Highway Services and planning consent was granted in June 2009.  To find out more information please follow this link to CA//09/00209. 

What other progress has been made?

The results of the public consultation were reported to the city and county councils' Joint Transportation Board in November 2007.

Kent County Council has implemented the Cycle Tracks Act (1984) for the section of new cycle path at Chartham which affects public rights of way.

Contact us

If you have any further questions please contact:

• Jon Shelton (Project Manager) at the Kentish Stour Countryside Project or telephone 01233 813 307
• Ruth Goudie at Kent Highway Services or telephone 01233 614 181