Published: Tuesday, 29th October 2024
Work has started on the Sevenoaks ‘East to West’ walking and cycling route linking seven schools with local facilities, a joint project between Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council.
The two-mile route was drawn up with help from transport experts Sustrans. Local people commented on the early proposal leading to changes and improvements along the route.
Once open, walkers, wheelers (people on scooters, parents with prams and wheelchair users) and riders will be provided with safe opportunities to exercise, benefitting their health, while improving air quality and helping to cut the District’s carbon footprint.
The route should take some cars off the road, especially at busy school times, helping to reduce traffic congestion, so there is something for everyone.
The route links Trinity School, The Weald of Kent and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys in the east with Sevenoaks Primary School and Walthamstow Junior School and Amherst and Riverhead Schools in the west. It also goes close to Sevenoaks Rail station, Sevenoaks Hospital and Knole Academy.
Work to widen some existing footpaths, the creation of new links between existing footpaths and the upgrading of some road crossings began on 28 October 2024. Work is expected to be finished by the spring of 2025.
The route is being delivered with a £1.2 million grant secured from the Government.
Cllr Irene Roy, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleaner and Greener, says: “This project has been a long term ambition of both Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council for some time, and I am delighted to see it progress into fruition.
“Encouraging our residents to use safe, sustainable forms of travel is a top priority and forms part of our ambitions to tackle climate change. This safe and sustainable travel route should be popular with children, commuters and the wider community.
“We want to thank the hundreds of local people who took part in our consultations about the proposals. Thanks to their comments, we have made a number of adjustments and improvements along the route.
“We are really excited work has started and we cannot wait for the Sevenoaks ‘East to West’ walking and cycling route to open next year.”
Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, adds: “We continue to work with local communities to make sure they are getting what they need from the spaces around them.
“We want people to be able to move around and make local journeys in the most convenient way for them, and sometimes that means not using a car.
“Making sure pedestrians and cyclists have safe and accessible routes will ensure we encourage people to choose active travel more often.”
Judith Bilboe from Amey, who will be delivering the scheme, says: “We are very excited to be involved in this project. We have worked on a number of cycle and pedestrian schemes in Kent and, as local resident and keen cyclist myself, we are really pleased to be delivering more safe spaces for people to cycle or walk as an alternative to using the car.”
For more information, visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/walkwheelcycle.
Sevenoaks District Council has also secured funding to progress two further walking, wheeling and cycling routes linking Sevenoaks and Otford and a new route in Swanley.
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