Thanet: Birchington to Margate

Update 24 March 2022

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in this consultation.

The consultation report was discussed by the Members of the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on the 17 March 2022.

Following the consultation we are reviewing the design and no longer plan to repurpose any whole sections of traffic lanes to deliver full width cycle lanes along the A28. We would like to significantly improve the opportunities for local children to walk and cycle to school. Below is a summary of the key areas of the scheme design being reviewed:

West section:

  • explore alternative options for connection to Birchington Station and identify a preferred option
  • look at options for a cycle route/quiet-way along Alpha Road/Epple Road to Birchington Station
  • review options for cycle track route along Canterbury Road/Station Road to Birchington Station.

Central section:

  • review existing proposed route from Charlesworth Drive to Domneva Road with consideration for connections to west and east
  • proposal for a connection with the new crossing at Hengist Road
  • review cycle lane arrangement adjacent to Ursuline College and King Ethelbert School.

East section:

  • explore alternative options for connection to Westgate Station and identify a preferred option
  • review options for Hengist Road, including cycle route and footways to connect with Ryder’s Avenue/Cuthbert Road and the Viking Coastal Trail
  • reassess options for Domneva Road to connect with Ryder Road/Cuthbert Road and the Viking Coastal Trail
  • develop an option to connect Cuthbert Road to Westgate.

We will be forming a steering group to establish local governance for this scheme, which will report to the Thanet Joint Transportation Board. Any updated designs will be made available on this webpage.


We want to create a new cycle route between Birchington-on-Sea and Margate, to make it safer and more pleasant for people who walk and cycle.

Most of the scheme runs along the A28 Canterbury Road, traveling from Birchington in the west, following the A28 past Westgate-on-Sea to join Westbrook Road in the east, connecting to the Viking Coastal Trail.

This route would provide better connections to key destinations in and around Birchington, Westgate-on-Sea and Margate. These include railway stations, schools, town centres, coastal attractions and business areas. The proposals also include improved crossing facilities and wider footways to make these streets more welcoming for people walking.

The scheme includes new areas of greenery to maximise biodiversity, provide shade and shelter and make the area more attractive. These would be combined with placemaking features, which are small measures to enhance the look and feel of the area and create spaces for socialising and relaxing.

The Consultation Brochure provides more detail.

Have your say!

Feedback from our first consultation has been used to help shape the proposals being presented in this consultation.

We want to continue to understand and incorporate the views of local communities, as this feedback is essential in helping to shape how the scheme is progressed.

Please complete the consultation questionnaire to tell us your views.

Update 24 March 2022

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in this consultation.

The consultation report was discussed by the Members of the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on the 17 March 2022.

Following the consultation we are reviewing the design and no longer plan to repurpose any whole sections of traffic lanes to deliver full width cycle lanes along the A28. We would like to significantly improve the opportunities for local children to walk and cycle to school. Below is a summary of the key areas of the scheme design being reviewed:

West section:

  • explore alternative options for connection to Birchington Station and identify a preferred option
  • look at options for a cycle route/quiet-way along Alpha Road/Epple Road to Birchington Station
  • review options for cycle track route along Canterbury Road/Station Road to Birchington Station.

Central section:

  • review existing proposed route from Charlesworth Drive to Domneva Road with consideration for connections to west and east
  • proposal for a connection with the new crossing at Hengist Road
  • review cycle lane arrangement adjacent to Ursuline College and King Ethelbert School.

East section:

  • explore alternative options for connection to Westgate Station and identify a preferred option
  • review options for Hengist Road, including cycle route and footways to connect with Ryder’s Avenue/Cuthbert Road and the Viking Coastal Trail
  • reassess options for Domneva Road to connect with Ryder Road/Cuthbert Road and the Viking Coastal Trail
  • develop an option to connect Cuthbert Road to Westgate.

We will be forming a steering group to establish local governance for this scheme, which will report to the Thanet Joint Transportation Board. Any updated designs will be made available on this webpage.


We want to create a new cycle route between Birchington-on-Sea and Margate, to make it safer and more pleasant for people who walk and cycle.

Most of the scheme runs along the A28 Canterbury Road, traveling from Birchington in the west, following the A28 past Westgate-on-Sea to join Westbrook Road in the east, connecting to the Viking Coastal Trail.

This route would provide better connections to key destinations in and around Birchington, Westgate-on-Sea and Margate. These include railway stations, schools, town centres, coastal attractions and business areas. The proposals also include improved crossing facilities and wider footways to make these streets more welcoming for people walking.

The scheme includes new areas of greenery to maximise biodiversity, provide shade and shelter and make the area more attractive. These would be combined with placemaking features, which are small measures to enhance the look and feel of the area and create spaces for socialising and relaxing.

The Consultation Brochure provides more detail.

Have your say!

Feedback from our first consultation has been used to help shape the proposals being presented in this consultation.

We want to continue to understand and incorporate the views of local communities, as this feedback is essential in helping to shape how the scheme is progressed.

Please complete the consultation questionnaire to tell us your views.