Attendees: Richard Wallace (Chair), David Noble (Vice Chair), Tony Quarrington (Vice Chair) David Crocker, Nicky Tolson (Membership Sec), Guy and Atsuko Martin, Jan McNeil, Jo File, Frank Bond, Howard Holt, Jenny Barraclough, Margaret Care, Tony Hill, Shirley Rodgers, Penny Shepherd, Mick Williams, Pam Keeling, Jeanette Harris, Rob Wilson, Mark Hourahane, Elizabeth Halstead, Linda Bauer, Patty Key, Susan Claris, Angela Lawrance, Marie Helene Hunter, Vaughn Horsman
Apologies: Neil Jones, Dorothy Douse, Brenda & Tony Gilbert, Dan Keeling, Roger Joyce, Matthew Jones, Margaret Noble
Chairman opened by informing that the June meeting was a public meeting with speaker Melanie Wrigley from White Cliffs Countryside Project, which was well received.
Minutes of the previous meeting are available on request.
Nicky Tolson – GF membership is continuing to increase.
Seafront Development
Richard W – GF is supportive of the high quality of the seafront scheme and the timely progress of the first phase of crescents along the seafront, providing car parking, sewage construction and public beach access details remain satisfactory. The development will take many years to complete. GF now generally supportive of the plans but would like to see more parking and connection to the town. The plans for the second harbour car park redevelopment have improved but GF believes the proposed car parking is currently inadequate to deal with both residents and summer visitors and also want the town centre to be complemented and not undermined by commercial use at the Harbour Arm. GF should work with NFS and others but remain positive about the development, much of which should maintain Folkestone as a strong town and an attractive place to live.
Howard H – Public consultation events on 21st and 22nd July at the Customs House.
Mark Hourahane – the block to be built on the Harbour Arm car park: the artist’s impression shows a change in the original design. The block will be built of red brick, in contrast to the other blocks.
Marie Helene mentioned the wind issues and queried whether these had been thoroughly explored.
Vaughn H – every building has been suitably designed to look at the sea with no windows facing inwards towards the town so doubtful there will be any connection between the Harbour and the town.
A question raised regarding the Road of Remembrance as to whether it is going to be pedestrianised? Mark H – it was part of the original Place Plan but is not a priority. GF have pushed for the lift to be reinstated and also suggested a regular bus service creating a loop.
Mick Williams asked whether the town needs additional homes on the harbour arm.
GF is still hopeful that ACME will give a presentation as suggested and promised.
Place Plan
HH – Consultations will be in two phases.
Phase 1 consultation took place in June, covering the northern part, from Folkestone Central Station to the town. It includes new pedestrian crossings and a new roundabout at the junction of Cheriton Road and Cheriton Gardens (near The Brew café). This will change the traffic flow and create a better entry from the station to the town and be a more logical approach.
Penny Shepherd – toucan crossings planned will mean pedestrians waiting for lights to change, they give preference to the traffic, unlike zebra crossings which give preference to pedestrians. We should ask the planners for the justification for toucans.
Phase 2 – consultation in September.
Kent Active Travel: Cheriton to Folkestone – Proposed Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Improvements
Susan Claris of Hythe Active Travel described Active Travel England – the Government’s executive agency responsible for making walking, wheeling (includes mobility scooters and pushchairs) and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around in England. It aims to make cycling and walking the natural choices for shorter journeys, or as part of a longer journey, by 2040.
A Consultation on the Cheriton to Folkestone scheme was held at Cheriton Road Bowls Club on 11th & 12th July 2023.
It can be accessed from the GF website under ‘Recent Articles’ on the home page. It includes a link to a Questionnaire.
The budget for the scheme is approximately £1,200,000 and is being funded from the Department for Transport as part of their Active Travel Fund to improve the environment for cycling and walking.
The proposed scheme now includes:
- a 20mph zone between Somerset Road and Coombe Road
- tabletop speed ramps at junctions for safer crossing improvements along Cheriton High Street
- Bus stop improvements with kerb buildouts
- provision of a new segregated cycleway between Cherry Garden Avenue and Cornwallis Avenue
- scheme extended to go from Cornwallis Avenue to the Folkestone Central railway station roundabout.
- improvements to the Cherry Garden Avenue and Cheriton Road traffic signal junction including the widening of the footway and realigning the layout of the junction. The aim is to reduce the number of collisions at this junction and to improve the crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.
- The proposal aims to create a more pleasant and safer experience to benefit cyclists, shoppers, businesses and pedestrians along the whole route.
Tony Hill said that a shared pedestrian and cycling path along Churchill Avenue tends not to be used by cyclists – as they use the road.
Mark Hourahane was of the opinion that the premise that many people cycle from Cheriton to Folkestone Central Station was not realistic.
Elizabeth Halstead said that while zebra crossings give priority to pedestrians, allowing them to cross without waiting for too long, crossings with lights result in pedestrians waiting some time for the traffic to stop.
David Noble – commented that people didn’t know they needed this scheme, as Cheriton has always been a very satisfactory shopping and residential area.
Mark H felt that the Consultation presentation wasn’t visual enough, so people did not fully appreciate the benefits of the scheme.
Vaughn Horsman said that although the proposal is not perfect, no parking spaces or trees will be lost under this revised scheme, as was the case with the original proposal. He had been disappointed to see residents at the Consultation event voting ‘strongly object’ on the questionnaire – which could well result in the £1.2m funding being lost, along with the opportunity to make these improvements.
Howard Holt was very much in favour of the 20mph zone to improve safety. He agreed that the £1.2m funding must not be lost.
Linda Bauer also agreed that It would be a tragedy if we lose the funding because this second plan has not been presented and communicated to the public satisfactorily.
Richard Wallace recommended supporting the scheme, as he felt it makes the shopping area more attractive and improves safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Pam Keeling proposed that a vote be taken on “Who is in favour of obtaining this grant to improve active travel in Cheriton?”
The vast majority present were in favour.
Members are encouraged to complete the Questionnaire. To get the funding, as many as possible Questionnaires voting to agree with the proposal, are needed.
‘Walking with Ghosts’ – project by UKC and the Imperial War Museum – Harbour Station
Tony Q – This will take place again, 11th-12th November 2023. It is developing into a permanent remembrance event. The Mole Café may be reconstructed for the weekend. Follow on funding of £2K has been secured from the Imperial War Museum which is keen to support expansion of project – this will cover a schools programme based on Google Earth technology. Folkestone Harbour Arm keen to support. Further discussions with funding in mind and buy-in from local businesses on the Harbour Arm and Creative Quarter (to be symbolised by plaque on window) Jan McNeil and poppy ladies looking for volunteers for small working group – seen as an opportunity for collaborative effort between GF, NFS and Heart. Rollout September and a soft launch will take place Nov 9th.
Penny S – the Beacon Plus community café at the Roman Catholic Church, Guildhall Street could be approached to provide home-made cakes.
RW – Sir Roger de Haan wants to display information on the history of the Harbour Station – any help with this would be appreciated.
Planning
RW – 22-24 Cheriton Gardens – GF and NFS have objected to the application to demolish this building to build a block of flats.
Folkestone Victoria Pier foundation stone
Tony Hill – the enamelling of the lettering will be complete by the end of August. Thanks to Mark H for sorting out photos and creating a computer-generated picture for the magazine. Thanks to Folkestone Local History Society for their donation of £500. More funding is needed to progress the project. Currently have £1540 so looking for funding and contributions.
Leas Viewing Balcony
RW – Folkestone Estate has approved the project. Yet to be agreed whether pictures will be painted directly onto the balcony or onto tiles to be attached. Decision to be made regarding QR code linking to GF website.
Electrical Recycling
Penny S – Hythe Environmental Community Group run a successful electrical recycling scheme. Hopefully a similar scheme will start in Folkestone in the autumn.
Baby Memorial Garden
NT has been approached by someone asking if GF can help set up a memorial garden for ‘stillborn’ babies. Once Chris Twydell returns from holiday mid-July further discussion to be undertaken as Kingsnorth Gardens might be an appropriate place and we have sympathetic council gardeners.
Green Gang
The trees we planted at Three Hills need watering. Some watering particularly with Incredible Edible regarding new planters in Cheriton and at Folkestone West. Need volunteers – more than welcome.
White Cliffs Countryside Project volunteers for both Shorncliffe Cemetery and also The Warrant – dates attached.
Litter Pick
Patty Key will inform Green Gang – Date tbc for next litter pick.
AOB
David Noble commented that people are camping in the Garden of Remembrance and playing football. Needs to be checked out. A Labour Councillor lives close and not doing anything. Same at St Eanswythe and The Leas.
Date of next meeting: 9th August at Wards Hotel, Earls Avenue 6.45pm