Coastal Cycle Route
Oyster Bay Trail
There is a National Cycle Route along the southern coast of England from Bodmin in Cornwall all the way to Dover (NCN Route 2). This coastal route continues from Dover as NCN Route 1 towards Sandwich and then as RCN
Route 15 (known as the Viking Coastal Trail) towards Reculver where the
coastal route ends. From Whitstable, NCN Route 1 can be
joined where it extends towards London and then along the East coast of
England and eventually into Scotland. NCN1 on the Crab and Winkle
Way extends to Canterbury.
This project is to connect a 7 mile section of missing coastal cycle route between Reculver and Whitstable which includes Herne Bay Seafront, and this will be branded the Oyster Bay Trail. There will also be a link between Herne Bay Seafront, the Memorial Park, Herne Bay railway station and Herne Bay High School.
Phase one of the Oyster Bay Trail is between Reculver and Swalecliffe. The first section through Reculver Country Park was completed in April 2008 and the section around Bishopstone Glen was undertaken during March 2009 including signing and bicycle parking.
The
byelaw along the sea wall will need to be revoked and replaced with
new byelaws and this is a priority for 2009/2010. The link
towards Herne Bay High School is another priority for 2009/10.
Phase 2 of the cycle route will be between Swalecliffe and Whitstable and we hope to start investigating options (including options at Tankerton) during 2010.
The benefits of increases in cycling include improved health, reductions in pollution and traffic congestion and substantial economic benefits. This coastal cycle route is identified as one of the top two high priority rated schemes on the national and regional cycle route network within the city council's Draft Canterbury District Walking and Cycling Strategy (2003).
Find out more about the Oyster Bay Trail.
