Oyster Bay Trail: Swalecliffe to Reculver

This route (which is Phase 1 of the overall Oyster Bay Trail) runs, mainly along the coast, from Swalecliffe via Hampton Pier, Herne Bay, Bishopstone Glen, to Reculver. The west end of the route links to the Phase 2 section of the Trail, the east end to the Viking Coastal Trail.

This section of the proposed route is about 10 km long.

The Oyster Bay Trail is shown in light blue (solid for the constructed sections, dashed for the planned sections). A spur to Herne Bay High School and another route along the A2990 are shown in dashed mauve.

CCC web page

This proposed route, its present state and its proposed development is fully described in this October 2009 update (cached copy).

Rationale

The overall Oyster Bay Trail will form part of the coastal route around north Kent and will join NCR 1 to the Viking Coastal Trail (RCN 15)
It will provide a safe tourist route to the scenic areas of of Bishopstone Glen, Reculver Country Park, and Reculver.

Maps

Spokes map of Herne Bay
OpenCycleMap
Google map
Ordnance Survey map (offers scale of 1:50000) or alternatively StreetMap (offers scale of 1:25000).
Shown as Route 27 on the Whitstable map and on the Herne Bay map in the Canterbury Walking and Cycling Strategy (2003).
Detailed route maps prepared by CCC:

History

2003: Proposed (high priority) in Canterbury Walking and Cycling Strategy (2003)
2007: Canterbury City Council announces (cached copy) the start of planning for Reculver-Swalecliffe route.
Jan 2008: Planning Application by CCC for section of the route through Reculver Country Park is granted.
2008/2009: Work is underway (cached copy) on the Bishopstone Glen and Reculver Country Park park sections of the route.
Sept 2009: Canterbury City Council approved (subject to ratification) change of byelaws to allow cycling along the coastal promenade.
Feb 2010: The new byelaw is advertised.

What the CCC Walking and Cycling Strategy document (2003) said

Whitstable to Reculver (Coastal Route) - Plan Reference No 27

Regional Cycle Route 15 is the Kent Coastal Route proposed by Sustrans for recreational cycling from Faversham to Dymchurch .The route takes advantage of the flat coastline and existing promenades on the sea front although at some of the locations the use of the promenades by cyclists is a controversial issue. Other coastal districts in East Kent have already opened sea front cycle routes. The route eastwards from Reculver known as the Viking Coastal Trail, was completed in Summer 2001.

The sections within the Canterbury district would be as follows:

...

Swalecliffe to Hampton

From Tankerton Promenade an existing concrete track approximately 1.5 metres wide winds a semicircular route away from the sea until it reaches Swalecliffe Promenade at Long Rock.

The promenade extends to Hampton and is currently well used for cycling. It would require no improvement work although, similar to other parts of the promenade, the existing ‘No Cycling’by-law would need to be removed.

Hampton to Reculver

From Hampton Promenade the 5.0 metre wide footway/sea wall could be marked out to provide a shared, segregated cycle path past the entrance into Hampton Pier car park and onto Spa Esplanade if required. Spa Esplanade is adopted highway providing vehicular access to several sea front properties. It has been traffic calmed and is suitable for cycling.

The route would join Western Esplanade via a concrete coastal slope opposite Central Avenue. It would be beneficial if the slope could be widened.

The route would be signed on-carriageway from Western Esplanade along Central Parade,which is traffic calmed, past the Pier and Bandstand and onto East Cliff Parade. Improved crossing facilities should be investigated where Central Parade joins East Cliff Parade.

East Cliff Parade leads directly onto East Cliff Promenade. The promenade is 6-7 metres wide and well surfaced and extends for 2 km towards Reculver. The only areas of concern for cyclists using the Promenade would be the potential for conflict at the Sailing Club and shingle washed onto the concrete surface. The latter could be controlled with regular maintenance.

At the end of the promenade the Eastern Access Road provides a safe pathway up to Reculver Drive car park.

From the car park, cyclists would use a short section on road on Ocean View before joining Manor Road and Haven Drive to reach Bishopstone Lane.

From Bishopstone Lane the route joins an unmade path through Reculver Country Park. This path is Public Footpath CH 56 and consideration should be given to widening and reconstruction using hogging and limestone dust or similar materials to compliment the surroundings. The area is managed by English Nature and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The route leaves the park at the car park and then joins the existing Viking Coastal Trail near to the King Ethelbert Public House.

From section 8.5.4 of the Canterbury Walking and Cycling Strategy (2003)

Present state of the route

Swalecliffe to Hampton Pier: broad concrete promenade (alternatively described as a "sea wall") already in place.
Hampton Pier to central Herne Bay: follows existing roads (Western Esplanade, Central Avenue).
Central Herne Bay to Bishopstone Glen: broad concrete promenade already in place.
Bishopstone Glen: cycle paths newly constructed.
Bishopstone Glen to Reculver: cycle path across Reculver Country Park newly constructed.

(At present, several sections of the above routes are classified as public footpaths, with byelaws prohibiting cycling.)

Next moves

Assuming the new byelaw (above) is confirmed, minor works such as signing and safety improvements will be carried out, thus completing this phase of the Oyster Bay Trail.

Latest news

The Spokes blog carries the latest news for this route.

Funding, sponsors and supporters

Implementation of the overall Oyster Bay Trail will cost £290k and will be funded by:

Canterbury City Council: £110k
Sustrans: £100k
East Kent Partnership: £80k