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National
Anniversary Site
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The Ramblers' Association was 75 years old in 2010. Although Kent
Area is much younger, the Association's members in Kent have much to be
proud of. The Anniversary year may be over, but our achievements
remain and these pages provide more information about some of them.
Three long distance walks owe their success to major contributions from
our members:
- The Greensand Way running west to east through Surrey and Kent
- The Wealdway running south to north through Sussex and Kent
- Royal Military Canal Path - Kent Ramblers worked hard to promote
this route and the Ramblers contributed £4000 (at 1992 prices)
towards the cost of compensating landowners when the middle section
was created
Our members have stepped in to save threatened paths when others have
given up:
- Paths near Capel between Folkestone and Dover
- In 1990 the RA obtained a notable victory in the High Court
against the Ministry of Defence, with KCC acting as agent, who
wished to obtain closure orders on paths illegally blocked across
the Lydd Ranges. The High Court ruled in favour of the RA and
awarded costs in the region of £10,000 against KCC. [read
more...]
- When the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was being planned, Ramblers'
volunteers worked during the passage of the relevant Bill through
Parliament to ensure that path diversions were acceptable and
bridges and underpasses were provided for walkers and riders
wherever necessary. During construction they remained vigilant
and acted when changes were made to the original plans.
- In the 1990s we saw off an MOD proposal for mine-laying exercises
that would have spoiled the walking experience in the wonderful
Luddesdown valley through which the Wealdway
passes
- In the late 1990s North West Kent Group provided the North West
Kent Countryside Project with £230 to fund footpath improvements in
the Meopham area. For some time there had been a problem with
a footpath in Dean Lane but no resources were available to alleviate
it. Thanks to the Group's donation the path, FP263, received a
new stile, improvements to an existing one and rustic steps down a
dangerous slope. A dog-gate was also provided.
- Path in Ash near Dover
- The Tale of Albans Oast
- How to Win a Bridge. One of our
volunteers secures a bridge over a new road when Kent County Council
wanted to provide a 40 minute detour alongside a busy main road.
Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to protect the footpath network
for the benefit of all walkers. You can read profiles of three of
them here:
You can also read about our work to ensure that legislation on rights
of way meets the needs of walkers in the following article:
In 2002 our volunteers undertook checking of the Access Land included
on the provisional maps produced under the Countryside and Rights of Way
Act 2000, resulting in several additions on the final version of the
maps. The Access Land is now shown on the Ordnance Survey Explorer
maps.
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The Greensand Way near Ide Hill
The Wealdway across Ashdown
Forest
Near Luddesdown
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