For months now, just past the far end of the car park at Jury’s Gap, opposite the site entrance to the Environment Agency compound, there has been a constant stream of dumper trucks and diggers moving earth, laying fresh tarmac and adding benches and new signage along the route which extends to the outskirts of Lydd. Here it joins the existing England Coast Path National Trail.
From Rye, at the Monk Bretton bridge, the Environment Agency posted a closure notice last April for the footpath at this location, temporarily moved whilst contractors Volker Stevin carried out essential flood defence improvement works on their behalf.
Stage 2 of the National Cycle Network (as it is also known) is now a whole new experience for walkers and cyclists. From Camber, the trail now enjoys newly-laid tarmac, a wider and much smoother space for all to enjoy and along the route, recently installed benches to sit and enjoy the open views along the way. New clear signage has also been installed and the trail runs for the most part in parallel with the main road.
Along the route you can enjoy seeing sheep at close hand or marvelling at the sheer numbers of wild geese resting in the marshland and swimming in the lakes formed from years of gravel extraction.
In the distance, the wind turbines at Cheyne Court Wind Farm blend in with the mighty pillions which carry the power lines to Dungeness Power Station and beneath them sheep continue to graze, oblivious to what is above them. A twitchers paradise but equally appealing to walkers, runners and cyclists who can now make their way along this stretch of countryside in safety and comfort.
Weather permitting, parking free at Jury’s Gap and taking the family for a walk along the sea wall, then onto the refurbished trail route, may be something to consider now and if you get as far as Lydd you could always catch the bus back to Camber and make a day of it.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
Great bit of tarmac on the pavements, wonder when they will start on the roads.