Outdoor activity centre Betteshanger Park in Deal reopens after four day closure because of travellers
12:52, 08 November 2019
updated: 15:30, 08 November 2019
Outdoor activity venue Betteshanger Park has reopened following a closure caused by an incursion of travellers at the weekend.
The country park at Deal had to close its gates suddenly on Sunday when an illegal encampment took over the car park.
They stayed until Tuesday and management chose to defer reopening for a thorough scour of the 365 acre site on health and safety grounds.
This afternoon it has announced on Facebook that 'after a slight hitch' it is business as usual at the venue.
And to mark the reopening, managers are offering discounted bike hire to entice users back through its gates.
There they can take advantage of the 3km tarmac track and 10km of rugged ground which includes mountain bike trails.
A facebook post at the time of the closure said the action was necessary while the correct legal channels were pursued to ensure the travellers left promptly.
The post added: "We regret the inconvenience that this has caused and will be contacting all individual clubs and customers, which have booked sessions and parties, to keep them updated on the situation."
As well as cycling Betteshanger Park is popular for activities such as geocaching, survival and army fitness with MY/PT and climbing.
Seasonal events are held as part of a packed programme like last month's Halloween activities. The park has also played host to The Beast - the world's largest inflatable assault course.
Dog walkers and nature lovers also flock to the site, built on the former Betteshanger Colliery spoil heap, because of the wildlife there.
The temporary closure was another set back for the park, which is to be sold amid an investigation into the financial dealings of owners Hadlow College - the first facility to ever be placed into educational administration.
It means there is an unclear future of the £40million scheme to turn the site into an eco-park with an £8million visitor centre and much anticipated Kent Mining Museum that was due to open last March.
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