This article from the March 1994 issue of Kent Area
News reported the Ramblers' continuing contribution to
the completion of the path along the Royal
Military Canal.
The Royal Military Canal
In our last newsletter, we
told you how the project to open up a continuous path
along the north bank of the canal was gathering
momentum. Steering and Working Groups were formed,
and these have been meeting regularly over the past six
months, looking at practical matters such as stile and
waymark design and infrastructure requirements.
KCC have now given their formal approval for Rights of
Way Officers to proceed with the path creation procedure
that is necessary to open up the 7 mile section that is
closed to the public between Warehorne and Bilsington.
As is usually the case in projects of this kind,
acquiring the funds is the most difficult part.
And as is also usually the case, initial cost estimates
have increased (it is a fact of all human life that
estimates never decrease!). Kent Area was very
concerned that the Ramblers' Association should
demonstrate to the authorities that we were also
prepared to express our commitment to the project by
making a financial contribution. We secured a
grant of £1000 from National Office whilst Kent Area put
in a further £500. Area Chairman Fred Goad then
decided to ask individual members throughout Kent to
make donations which he did in the last newsletter.
We are pleased to tell you that the response to that
appeal has been absolutely splendid with just over £2600
being contributed. In total, we expect to make
available some £4000 to the project. The Executive
Committee is delighted as is the County Council.
Roger Lambert, the Access Recreation Officer within
Planning Department who chairs the two Groups, wrote to
the Area Secretary as follows:
"I would like to take this
opportunity of expressing our appreciation to all those
who have collectively contributed so generously to the
Royal Military Canal Project.
In partnership with other
statutory, conservation and amenity bodies, not least
the Ramblers' Association, we are committed to the
successful implementation of the long distance path
along the canal bank.
As you may expect, a project of
this nature is quite involved, particularly with the
need to create a public right of way over the section
between Warehorne and Bilsington.
It is our intention to phase the
programme of work over a period of two to three years,
and to promote sections of the route as they are
completed. Given the necessary funding, we hope to
complete the whole project by 1996.
No doubt Mike Temple will give
you an update on progress at regular intervals.
Meanwhile, thank you again for
your very encouraging support."
We hope to have news of further progress in
September.
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