A campaign for better bicycle routes in the district is getting into gear – and a call for help will be made on Monday at a public meeting in Deal.

Families with children are getting together with other cyclists, highways engineers and councillors to launch the new Cycle Forum for the area.

Deal Mayor Cllr Ben Bano is supporting the project and has been in the saddle to meet the campaigners and help promote the idea.

He said: "This is a great initiative to make our towns safer, healthier places to live and visit, and it has my full support."

Transport campaigner Ian Killbery said: "The cycling facilities at Fowlmead Country Park now attract lots of local families. They want to ride out there safely with their children, but the officially signed routes are quite hazardous for children.

"Sorting out these missing links in the cycle network is also important to attract more cycle-tourists to Fowlmead and the area’s scenic coastal cycle route. These visitors could bring cash and jobs into our area’s pubs, cafes, bike shops and B&Bs.

"It will soon be impossible to complete a decent network of cycle paths into the town if development of empty sites continues. This is our last chance to wake up council planners."

The new Cycle Forum for Deal, Dover and Sandwich is open to anyone interested and the meeting on Monday will be at the Royal Hotel, Beach Street, Deal, from 6.15pm to 8pm.

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