# Coastal Access

Despite a pledge from the previous government that the King Charles III England Coast Path would be fully walkable by the end of 2024, it has not happened and there is still no firm date when it will be complete. In response to a Parliamentary question in September, all the new government would say was that they were working at pace to ensure completion as soon as possible and that they would determine a timetable with Natural England for 2025/6. At the time of the question about 95% of the path around England was walkable.

To be fair, Kent is not too badly off, and we do not have that many gaps. By the time you read this Natural England expect that the Secretary of State will have approved the two contested sections in Medway between Funton Brickworks and Lower Halstow and between Stonegate Creek and Otterham Quay.

There has been an obstruction issue to the south of Sheppey that has now been resolved, but it is necessary to do some further path improvement before it is opened and some of the felled signs will have to be re-installed. KCC should have this done by the Spring. To the north of Sheppey there is an obstruction to the original proposed route between Oak Lane, Minster and Ashcroft Holiday Park which will require a Modification Report. This should be published soon but it will then have to go to the Secretary of State. This is holding up the opening of the Hen's Brook Gap to Warden section as there are no ways of connecting walkers safely to existing PRoWs/public transport. Finally, there is a problem with the level crossing at Grain which has not been opened as the traffic has got significantly worse and is not considered safe. Network Rail have plans to update to an automatic crossing with improved pedestrian access.

![](https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/2bdc9b51-6a11-4b8d-a7f6-81cf71b03c15.jpeg)

On a different note, some of you may remember that, back in 2019, I was very concerned at the visual impact the proposed huge Cleve Hill Solar Park at Graveney would have on the coast path. This park is possibly still the largest in this country and over four times the size of anything else proposed for Kent. I was a witness, on behalf of the Ramblers and Open Spaces Society, at the Public Inquiry and was one of many objectors.

However, in 2020 the Inspectors approved the development, and construction is now well underway.

I visited recently and must admit that, while it does create an industrial landscape for over three miles where once there was grassed marshland, it is not quite as bad as I envisaged. There is a reasonable margin of grass and reeds between the coast path and the perimeter and as the path is elevated along the top of the sea defence, you can see over the top of the panels to the Downs beyond. In any case, as you walk along your eye tends to be drawn to the sea and the view over towards Sheppey rather than inland. At this time of the year there are huge flocks of noisy Brent geese and waders out on the mudflats that attract your attention.

All the footpaths have remained open during construction and run along quite wide natural corridors though the only view now is the solar panels on each side. Eventually, there will be a new permissive path which will create a circular walk from Graveney Road.

*Ian Wild, Coastal Access Officer*