The consultation focuses on the section between Bathurst Road and Earls Avenue, where KCC is proposing a range of changes to make it safer and easier for people to cross the road and travel through the area on foot or bicycle.
The proposals have been developed in response to requests from local residents and councillors to improve accessibility for pedestrians.
Shorncliffe Road is a busy and important route, connecting residential neighbourhoods, education settings and the town centre. However, the road, along with some of the side roads, are relatively wide which can make crossing difficult. Although there are already several traffic islands, these are not located where pedestrians need them most.
In some places, visibility is restricted, and high kerbs create additional challenges for people with mobility impairments or pushchairs.
KCC is therefore proposing a package of improvements designed to make crossing points safer, more visible and easier to use.
We are proposing to:
- Reposition and widen four central islands on Shorncliffe Road near the junctions with Ravenlea Road, Marten Road, Grimston Avenue, and Earl’s Avenue. This would include footway buildouts to narrow the carriageway and lowered (dropped) kerbs to provide safer and easier crossing points for pedestrians. A buildout would also be added to the traffic island situated close to the Bathurst Road junction.
- Remove two existing central islands: one near Bathurst Road and one near Godwyn Road, where pedestrian crossing is less suitable.
- Install new central islands on Godwyn Road, Marten Road and Grimston Avenue for pedestrian crossing. This would include extending the existing double yellow lines approximately 20-22 metres further along these roads to allow enough space to provide safe pedestrian crossing facilities. This would mean that on-street parking on both sides of these roads would be lost.
- Extend the eastbound on-road cycle lane from where it currently ends near Bathurst Road up to the alleyway opposite the junction with Earls Avenue where it connects with existing facilities on Cheriton Road.
- Move forward the junction give-way lines to improve visibility for drivers and riders turning out from Ravenlea Road, Godwyn Road, Marten Road and Grimston Avenue.
- Minor changes to the position of street lamp columns at the Godwyn Road junction.
“These proposals are about making the area safer and more accessible for everyone, particularly pedestrians and those who may find crossing the road more challenging.”
Peter Osborne, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “We have listened to feedback from residents and local councillors who want to see improvements along Shorncliffe Road. These proposals are about making the area safer and more accessible for everyone, particularly pedestrians and those who may find crossing the road more challenging.”
If the scheme is taken forward, it is expected to cost around £170,000 and would be funded though money KCC received from the Department for Transport.
Work is expected to take between eight to ten weeks, and traffic management measures may be required, such as road closures, temporary traffic lights or overnight working.
The consultation will run for six weeks from the 27 May to 7 July 2026.
You can share your views on our proposals for Shorncliffe Road by completing the online questionnaire on the consultation webpage.
If you have any questions regarding this scheme or require a paper copy of the consultation questionnaire, please email east.highwayimprovements@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 41 81 81. When contacting us, please quote the reference ‘Shorncliffe Road’.
