Shorncliffe Road Consultation: Kent County Council Seeks Views on Pedestrian and Cycling Improvements in Folkestone

What’s Being Proposed

Folkestone residents have until 7 July 2026 to have their say on plans to reshape how pedestrians and cyclists move along one of the town’s busier connecting routes. Kent County Council launched the consultation on 27 May, seeking feedback before any final design is locked in. That’s a fairly tight window.

And the proposals aren’t small tweaks. Four central islands near Ravenlea Road, Marten Road, Grimston Avenue and Earls Avenue would be repositioned and widened, with footway buildouts and dropped kerbs added to make crossing easier. Two existing islands — one near Bathurst Road, one near Godwyn Road — would be removed entirely, on the basis that those spots aren’t considered suitable for pedestrian crossing.

The Parking Trade-Off

New central islands are also proposed on Godwyn Road, Marten Road and Grimston Avenue. And here’s where it gets complicated — those additions would require extending double yellow lines, which means a reduction in on-street parking along the route.

Safer crossings on one side of the scales, fewer parking spaces on the other. Anyone who’s tried to find a spot near Shorncliffe Road on a weekday morning will know the parking pressure there is already real. It’s the kind of trade-off that tends to divide opinion sharply, and quickly.

Cyclists and Junction Visibility

The scheme also proposes extending the eastbound on-road cycle lane from near Bathurst Road to the alleyway opposite Earls Avenue, linking up with existing infrastructure on Cheriton Road. Give-way lines at the junctions of Ravenlea Road, Godwyn Road, Marten Road and Grimston Avenue would be moved forward to improve visibility for drivers and riders pulling out. Minor adjustments to street lamp columns near Godwyn Road are included too.

Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Kent County Council, said the proposals are intended to make the area “safer and more accessible”, above all for pedestrians who find crossing difficult.

Why This Road, Why Now

Shorncliffe Road runs through residential neighbourhoods, past schools and down towards the town centre — the sort of route where people on foot and on bikes mix daily with through traffic. The consultation follows calls from local residents and councillors for better accessibility along the stretch. The existing islands, the council says, aren’t always positioned where they’re most useful, and some crossings are hampered by restricted visibility and high kerbs. Not ideal.

But what happens if the scheme goes ahead? Construction would likely need road closures, temporary traffic lights or overnight working to manage disruption. Eight to ten weeks of work, at a cost of around £170,000.

Residents can respond via an online questionnaire or download a Word version to return by email or post. The consultation closes on 7 July 2026.

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Key Takeaways

• Kent County Council is consulting on pedestrian and cycling improvements along Shorncliffe Road between Bathurst Road and Earls Avenue, with a deadline of 7 July 2026
• The proposals include repositioning crossing islands, extending a cycle lane, and improving junction visibility — but would reduce some on-street parking
• If approved, the scheme would cost around £170,000 and take eight to ten weeks to build

What This Means for Kent Residents

If you live near Shorncliffe Road or use it regularly — on foot, by bike or by car — this consultation is worth your time. The changes would affect crossing points, parking availability and cycle access along a route that links homes, schools and Folkestone town centre. There’ll be disruption during construction, the council acknowledges that, but says the finished result would make the road safer and easier to use for everyone. Residents have until 7 July 2026 to submit their views via the council’s online questionnaire or by post.