Email sent 20 May 2023
Dear PROW Team
There are considerable community concerns about diverting part of the PROW ZR681 adjacent to Teynham Railway Station.
This email provides a summary of the community concerns, plus our preferred solution.
Teynham Parish Council’s preferred solution would be to maintain the current location of the PROW ZR681 and create a recognised safe crossing.
Context
- PROW ZR681 forms an important direct route between Teynham and Conyer.
- This PROW is a popular route for people walking, often with their dogs, towards Conyer, the Saxon Shore path and the Ship Inn Public House.
- The route is often used by residents from Conyer to access education, services, and transport links in Teynham and beyond.
- This pathway also forms part of the Fruit Belt loop walk, which is popular with visitors and locals alike.
- The route is also used to access Creed Outdoor Learning facilities, which are located about 100m north of the railway crossing.
Community comments
- There are a range of local community views.
- The majority of comments indicate a desire to keep the route in the same location.
- A number of residents indicated their concern about the safety of the crossing.
Residents recognise the need for safety when crossing the railway line.
Practical suggestions include:
- Diverting the pathway above/below the train line.
- Installing automatic pedestrian barriers, which mirror the vehicle crossing barriers at the other end of the platform.
- Improved signage and lighting
- Installation of permanent CCTV.
Concerns on diverting the PROW include:
- Who owns the land where the proposed diverted PROW will run.
- Increased risk of people walking along the platforms. (Ie people will walk up, platform one across the vehicle crossing road, then returning along platform two).
- Additional time — approximately 5 to 10 minutes each way — to walk between Coyner and Teynham
- Accessibility particularly during wet weather and winter months
Multiple changes
- Teynham is undergoing a number of changes at the same time.
- PROW ZR247, known locally as the ‘Ash Path’, runs to the south of PROW ZR681.
- The two PROWs form a direct access route from Conyer to Teynham.
- KCC is also proposing to temporarily close, for 6 months, a section of PROW ZR247, with a diversion of 15-20 minutes. The cumulative impact will mean a total diversion of around 20-25 minutes extra - each way - when walking from Conyer to Teynham for the services at Teynham.In addition, residents in Conyer have recently had their bus service removed. These changes will have a negative compound effect.