Disappointment over delays to towpath walkway work

Construction works on a Kent walkway will be delayed until 2027, the county council says.

Kent County Council says preparation works on the Aylesford towpath improvement scheme will begin by the end of this year, but that on-site construction will not begin until at least May 2027, subject to securing the required licences.

Jamie Henderson, KCCs's cabinet member for the environment, said delays had been caused due to the need to start work after the end of the Sea Trout spawning season.

He said: "I appreciate how disappointing this delay to the start of on-site constructions works is to residents, elected members and other stakeholders."

Henderson added: "It is vital that all the necessary approvals are secured before construction works begin on the Aylesford Towpath Improvement Scheme.

"The team leading this work remains committed to delivering the scheme and will continue to work closely with all relevant authorities to secure the necessary approvals as quickly as possible."

Under the proposed plans, the embankments of the towpath would be reinforced so that it can be reopened.

The towpath, which has been closed since 2023 following a landslip, runs along the River Medway and through Kent into the centre of Maidstone.

A Kent County Council spokesperson said preparation works beginning in the meantime would inlcude creating storage areas for materials and a construction compound in readiness for the main works.

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