First designs showing how a town’s road network could be transformed in a £1 million project have been revealed.

Intended to make walking or cycling between Faversham’s recreation ground and Lower Road “safer and more pleasant for residents and visitors”, construction is set to start early in 2024.

Faversham Town Council (FTC) received funding from Active Travel England for the “cross-town walking route” earlier this year after a successful bid from the county council.

The work to make it a “walking and cycling town” will focus on the route running from Lower Road, down South Road, through Cross Lane and Gatefield Lane and through the recreation ground.

Cllr Julian Saunders (Lab), who has spearheaded the project, said: “Kent County Council choosing Faversham as the location for a major intervention to help pedestrians is a product of the active commitment that the town council and local residents have to improving safety for pedestrians.”

He argues the town council has been a “trailblazer for the rest of Kent” due to its town-wide 20mph limit and local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP).

“In addition to making it easier for pedestrians to walk safely and therefore encouraging more residents and visitors to take short journeys on foot, the project is expected to contribute to slowing moving traffic and helping enforce the town-wide 20mph speed limit,” Cllr Saunders continued.

Under the plans, two new crossings will be built - one at the junction of Newton Road and Cross Lane, and another at South Road and Napleton Road.

At various points along the route pavements will be extended and roads narrowed, and dropped kerbs and raised road surfaces will be introduced at crossings to make pedestrians more visible to motorists.

Nathan Iliffe, acting as spokesman for the Faversham Association of Businesses, says traders broadly back the plans, but want the works to be considerate to car users.

“The Faversham Association Businesses welcomes any scheme that will make it easier for residents to travel across the town and access all the fantastic local businesses that Faversham has to offer,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“Any scheme that encourages people to walk or cycle is beneficial for both peoples’ health and the environment.

“We do however urge our local representatives at all three tiers of local government (Faversham Town Council, Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council) to remember that Faversham is a rural market town, supported by a necklace of villages.

“Many residents, who do not live near the town centre do have to rely on other modes of transport, including the car.

“To maintain and grow a successful local economy, infrastructure has to be in place to ensure that all residents can get around easily and are encouraged into the town centre.

“We look forward to seeing how the scheme progresses and welcome any dialogue with us, so that the implementers of the scheme can understand the position of Faversham businesses and ensure the scheme can be as beneficial as possible.”

The full exhibition of planned changes will be held at Faversham Town Hall starting on Friday November 17, after which it will be open from 10am to 4pm every day until Sunday November 26.