A historic city stretch will undergo redevelopment next spring as a new cycle path and 20mph zone is introduced.

Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council have agreed to take away eight prime parking spaces in Longport to make way for the scheme.

The project, hailed as an “active travel plan”, will see a continuous cycle path created between Littlebourne Road and the entrance to the city centre at Burgate.

A new two-metre pathway and separate lane for bikes will be installed on the stretch outside St Augustine’s Abbey, while the pedestrian crossing on the ring-road at Lower Bridge Street is to be ripped up and relaid.

The middle island will be removed - allowing walkers and cyclists to travel across both sides of the road in one crossing.

All of the work is to ensure cyclists can access the city without having to get off their bike at crossing points - encouraging green journeys from Littlebourne Road to the main shopping area.

Following a meeting of the joint transportation board last week, councillors unanimously agreed to recommend work commence.

However, speaking at the meeting,Bridge parish councillor Alan Atkinson questioned why much-used parking spaces outside the Abbey walls and opposite the Longport Cafe are being sacrificed.

“It’s disappointing that yet again, we’re just chopping out car parking spaces,” he said.

“I would ask that that is not done again in the future.

“I know they are the new evil, but much of the district live outside of the city and travel in by car.

“Simply removing the ability to come and park is really not acceptable.”

Despite recognising the loss of spaces, city council leader Ben Fitter-Harding defended the project.

“Ultimately we’re looking at the greater good here,” he said.

“If we can help hundreds of extra people from the south and east of Canterbury come in on this cycle and walking route, is that worth it for losing a dozen or so parking spaces?

“That’s fundamentally what we’re looking at, and that’s the balance officers try to strike.

“There’s no perfect solution.”

Traffic office Sebastian Bures said: “We’re trying to encourage a modal shift and promote better walking and cycling infrastructure. Unfortunately, because of the nature of this medieval town and its tight spaces, it’s a compromise between a number of factors so it’s not the easiest.”

As well as the installation of new paths, a 20mph zone is to be introduced as part of the scheme.

Lower Chantry Lane, Edward Road, Ivy Lane, Albert Road, Monastery Street, Church Street St Pauls and Longport will all see their speed limits cut to 20mph.

It means drivers heading past Barton Court Grammar School and the university, and those heading up past the Waitrose exit to the Premier Inn junction, will have to travel at slower speeds.

A new ‘raised table’ at the junction with St Martins Hill and North Holmes Road will also be installed.

During previous consultations, 68 respondents were in favour of the project and 24 against.

The active travel plan is being funded via a government cashpot.