There is just one week left to have your say on five new concept schemes to encourage more walking and cycling in Kent.

The concept designs for those choosing to walk or cycle for their day-to-day journeys out to public consultation are:

• Canterbury: Littlebourne Road to the City Centre
• Folkestone: Central Railway Station to Cheriton
• Thanet: Birchington to Margate Sands
• Folkestone: Hythe to Dymchurch
• Gravesham: Gravesend to Northfleet

The consultation ends on January 19.

If popular, the concepts could be developed further with another consultation later this year around the developed designs.

KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne said: “The Government has awarded Kent just over six million pounds to create permanent schemes that encourage and support walking or cycling.

“Whilst we welcome this opportunity both the Government and KCC first wish to get your feedback on the initial concepts proposed by officers before any of these schemes are actually constructed.

“We recognise the lack of good quality cycle routes and fewer than 2% of Kent residents currently cycle to work, which is lower than the regional or national average.

“These schemes are intended to be permanent measures providing long-lasting benefits and we’re keen to see what residents and road users think of them before any decisions are made.”

There are three themes behind the ideas:

• Healthy Neighbourhoods – residential areas where people feel safe to walk and cycle to access local shops, services, and visit friends. Every street would still be accessible to all vehicles, but made more difficult to drive straight through and so reduce rat-running. Parking is not normally affected.
• Improvements for walking and cycling – introducing new routes for cycling separated from traffic and pedestrians to make them safer and easy to use. Measures include upgraded crossing facilities, widened footways, safer junctions, and directional signage to help cyclists and pedestrians to navigate.
• Placemaking improvements – small-scale localised measures such as trees, planting, seating areas, play space and improvements in the type and quality of pavement and road surfacing. The idea is to enhance the look and feel of an area, creating a more pleasant environment in which people are happy to spend time.

To take part in the consultation, visit www.kent.gov.uk/kentactivetravel