Exhibition updates residents on Crab and Winkle plans 

Residents can find out the latest on plans for the extension of the Crab and Winkle Line cycle route in Whitstable at a special exhibition on Saturday 21 September.

The event, taking place at St Peter’s Church House in Cromwell Road between 11am and 5pm, is being jointly organised by the city council and the Crab and Winkle Line Trust.

On show will be updated drawings of the scheme’s layout and plans for the next phase of the project, which is construction of the scheme to the north of Teynham Road.

The council will be bidding for money from Active Travel England for building this element when the next funding pot opens for applications, which is expected to be later this year.

It also updates residents on proposals for the lighting for this phase, as illumination is planned to be via bollards and not conventional street lighting. This overcomes previous concerns that have been raised, and bollards are less intrusive for bats and other species.

In addition, the event offers an opportunity for people to give early views on plans for the two bridges that are required for future elements of the scheme across Old Bridge Road, the railway line and Teynham Road.

This is ahead of the formal planning application for the bridges, which will be submitted later this year.

The council’s Cabinet member for transport, Cllr Alex Ricketts, said: “We are very pleased to be working with the Crab and Winkle Line Trust on this public exhibition.

“The long term plans to extend the cycle route all the way to the seafront, coming out opposite the harbour, are ambitious and exciting in equal measure.

“There will be people who are fairly new to the town who will not be familiar with the plans, and others who will know about them but may be in need of a refresher.

“We look forward to welcoming everybody to this special event, sharing all the latest proposals and hearing what people think.”

Chair of the Crab and Winkle Line Trust, Matt Banbury, said: “The Crab and Winkle Line Trust is excited to be part of improved plans to extend the Crab and Winkle Way along the original route of the railway line towards the harbour.

“This would enable people of all ages and abilities to safely walk, cycle or wheel through the centre of the urban area of Whitstable and Tankerton.”

The picture on this story shows the most recently built section of the cycle route coming through the centre of the photo and the areas where bridges will be required.

Published: 16 September 2024