# Coastal Access

![](https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/2760be01-fad8-4452-b37a-434fa5b55b1e.jpeg)

The highlight of the year was undoubtedly the visit by Baroness Hayman, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defra, in June, to open most of the King Charles III England Coast Path on Sheppey. There was a full report on the front page of September's edition of South East Walker. The remaining section on the North coast of Sheppey that has still to be approved, has been delayed by the need to consult on a minor modification to the original route at Hen's Brook.

The other significant development was the approval of two lengths of the Path on the Iwade to Grain stretch that have been in dispute since 2020. The first was between Funton Brickworks to Lower Halstow where the route deviates inland away from the coast and involves the creation of new paths across farmland. There was a concerted campaign by farm owners, local sailing clubs and locals supported by the NFU against the proposed route. An Inspector visited in November 2021 and it has taken over three years for a decision to approve Natural England's original route.

The second was between Shoregate Creek and Otterham Quay where there were similar objections but from the local mobile home park and residents. The argument that there should be a new path following the coast along the sea wall rather than inland diversions was discounted because of concerns over potential impacts on wildlife, notably roosting and feeding birds.

Once the last section on Sheppey is approved, the whole of the route of the King Charles III England Coast Path around Kent will have been finalised. All that is left is for Kent County Council to finish off the enabling works — waymarking, putting in gates and so on.

The route is never going to be static and there are always going to be changes and problems. We have already seen variations due to landslips, changes of use by landowner and problems caused by anti-social behaviour. Fortunately, there is an interactive map on the National Trails website, which can be easily accessed through a link from the Coastal Access page on the Kent Ramblers website. At the time of writing there were around fifteen temporary or long-term changes, so it is certainly worth checking.

One other point worth bearing in mind is that the Path does not always follow the obvious route. Because it is a National Trail, it has to be routed to be accessible to all.