Plans have been revealed for a coastal footpath which would wrap around the Isle of Sheppey.

The proposal from Natural England will create a continuous walk starting at the Kingsferry Bridge walking towards Rushenden and finishing up walking across Elmley to get to the Swale Station.

It would form part of an England Coast Path, which is a 2,700-mile pathway around the entire country’s coastline.

The planned route will take in views of the Medway, Swale and Thames Estuaries.

Now a consultation has opened, looking for views on the proposals.

Plans for a 40-mile stretch of coastal path between Iwade and Grain have already been revealed.

The route would follow the historic Saxon Shore Way and continue through Lower Halstow and Upchurch before taking in the Riverside Country Park in Lower Rainham.

'The north Sheppey coastline, where we’ve got historic crumbling of the cliffs' - MP Gordon Henderson

The Island stretch of the coastal pathway has proved controversial in the past.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson spoke at a special House of Commons debate last year after he had received objections about initial plans.

Talking about the consultation launch, he said: “This is exactly the same proposal put forward a couple of years ago and I’ve been lobbying Natural England on behalf of residents on the Isle of Sheppey.

“The north Sheppey coastline, where we’ve got historic crumbling of the cliffs, I’m confident will, over time, slowly eradicate any path they put there.

“While having a coastal path and having access to the sea for as many people as possible is a good idea, it’s a nonsense that we should have a path, regardless of the risks, just because the legislation says there needs to be one there.

'There is currently no continuous coastal pedestrian route around the Isle of Sheppey' - Natural England report

“I’d urge all residents with a concern about the route of the path along the Sheppey coastline to make representations to Natural England.

Last Wednesday, Natural England submitted a collection of reports to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs setting out the proposals for improved access to the coast around the Isle of Sheppey.

The report said: “There is currently no continuous coastal pedestrian route around the Isle of Sheppey.

“With the high number of caravan parks on the Island, this route could also provide access to the environment for holidaymakers and help stimulate tourism based enterprise along the trail.”

The consultation closes at midnight on Wednesday, March 18. Visit www.tinyurl.com/SheppeyPath for more.

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