More signs are needed on a popular stretch of coastline to keep walkers and cyclists apart, say anxious residents.

Deal Town Council (DTC) is backing calls to upgrade a 600-metre stretch of seafront path between Deal Castle and The Royal Hotel.

It follows a number of close-calls on the shared-use route, which forms part of the King Charles III England Coast Path and is open to pedestrians and bike riders.

The seafront path south of Deal Castle is clearly split between riders and walkers, with road markings showing who should be on which side.

But the section either side of Deal Pier is unmarked - something DTC wants Kent County Council (KCC) to change.

Pedestrian Christine Blakey says she supports the idea as walkers and cyclists "don't stick to one side".

"I hadn't even noticed the signs showing shared space as they are so small and high up," she said.

"They would be better lower down and bigger.”

Pedestrian Tricia Grist says she was almost struck by someone on a bicycle along the route.

"Cyclists come up so quietly you can't hear them," she said.

"I had a near-miss once - the rider stopped in time but he didn't apologise."

Problems on the shared space have occurred over a number of years.

As far back as summer 2022 a letter from an unnamed resident to the town council said: “I have noticed over the last year that on increasing occasions I have had to encounter cyclists on the footpath, not children as you may presume but adults who should know better.

"The one point on all the footpaths is the section on the seafront in front of The Royal Hotel.

"On repeated occasions, myself and a number of other pedestrians have had to leave the path to allow cycles through.

“When I point out to them that it is not a cycle path, I have received verbal abuse.

“Can I ask that signage be put in place stopping cyclists from using the seafront in these areas?”

Pedestrian Nikki Fuller agreed, saying it "would be better if the path was divided" as "cyclists presume they have a right of way".

Her partner Andrew Bibby said: "We've personally not had too many serious problems with cyclists but you get the occasional tut from them when they think you're in their way."

But cyclist Ray Smith said of the shared space: "It works as it is if people are careful. Where there is a marked split further down I've seen pedestrians wander onto the cycle side.

"But I've noticed some cyclists go onto their side. People seem to lose track."

DTC has written to KCC requesting “improved shared space and signage” along the route after the county council launched a survey about walking and cycling paths.

The consultation ended on January 10 and KCC says it “will consider all feedback received”.

Laura Marney, DTC’s transport and infrastructure committee clerk, said: “We were invited to respond to the KCC consultation for new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling routes.

“When asked for suggested improvements we included the projects the town council has already identified in our (wider) highways improvement plan.”

Last summer, pedestrian Neil Oldfield said better signs were needed along a different section of King Charles III England Coast Path in Kingsdown.

He called on council bosses to review Wellington Parade, between Kingsdown and Walmer, after he was hit by a cyclist.

In December, wheelchair users called for vital upgrades to a 3km stretch of the King Charles III Coastal Path which they say is “completely inaccessible”.

They said how they end up getting stuck in the shingle walkway between Sandown Castle and Sandwich Bay, and have to rely on others to pull them out.