Random series of suggestions!

Great to see so many good ideas here.

Thoroughly support the proposals for protected cycle lanes, particularly on routes to schools and along our busiest roads, and Dutch junctions where cyclists have priority. (Cycling in Holland is just a completely different experience from cycling in the UK!)

Strongly support Andrew’s comments about Margate Old Town pedestrianisation. WWCT/ Sustrans’ own recent newsletter gives an example of how pedestrianisation can help increase not just safety but prosperity for town & city centres: https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/our-blog/opinion-and-advocacy/prioritising-people-is-good-for-our-economy-and-life-of-town-centres/

In Ramsgate we theoretically have a small pedestrianised area in the town centre, but in practice it’s accessible both to ordinary drivers and to 12-wheeled delivery wagons serving the shops. (In other towns such vehicles are required to use goods entrances, but KCC insist we can’t require that in Ramsgate, for reasons we don’t understand. The result is danger to pedestrians, both from the vehicles themselves and from way the paving has broken up & become uneven from the massive extra weight!)

The other thing that would make a huge difference to pedestrians & cyclists in Ramsgate is a 20mph zone for motorists around town. It’s something we’re negotiating with KCC about: we have good evidence that it would work but it’s taking ages to get any progress.

Obviously most of the schemes proposed here will have to wait until we can access serious funding, but surely there’s plenty we can do without major funds to make it easier for people in Thanet to walk, wheel & cycle? That would include:

• Clearer markings & signage, as mentioned by several other commenters
• More dropped kerbs: we have far too few in most of our towns, and almost none on the major roads between them
• Regular maintenance of cycle paths and footways. (NB Our towns are criss-crossed with small alleys & paths that are mostly overgrown and a location for fly tipped mattresses. Imagine if we could revive even 10% of these for actual use!)
• Solar powered lighting
• 20mph zones for motorists in town centres (In Ramsgate this is part of our Highways Improvement Plan: we have good evidence that it would work but it’s taking ages to get any progress.)
• Secure cycle storage. In Ramsgate we’re piloting 3 lockable cycle hangars at the station, in the town centre and on the seafront, working with TDC’s parking team.
• More events promoting cycling, including bike maintenance sessions and safety advice, such as TDC has run in the past.