During the First World War, thousands of soldiers travelled down the road on their way to the harbour before leaving England for France. Since then, the route has become an important part of Folkestone’s road network.
But following a landslip in January 2024, the road has remained closed after it was buried in soil and vegetation leaving the cliff face unstable.
Construction work on a £5 million scheme, which is designed to make the cliff safer and reduce the risk of future movement, started in May and is making good progress.
Specialist teams are currently installing soil nails into the cliff face, a key stage in strengthening and stabilising the slope. The steel bars are drilled between five and 14 metres into the ground, helping to reinforce the cliff and hold it securely in place.
Almost 1,000 soil nails will be installed across the site, with around 200 already completed. Each nail takes between 30 and 60 minutes to install and requires specialist drilling equipment, steel reinforcement and grouting.
The project is one of the largest and most complex engineering schemes currently underway in Kent. Working on a steep cliff face above the road presents a range of challenges, including restricted access, nearby homes and the need to protect the surrounding environment.
Once the project is complete, we hope to have the road reopen by late spring 2027.
Linden Kemkaran and Peter Osborne met with Marian at the Road of Remembrance
On the front line
One resident who has had a front-row view of the works is Marian, who lives at the top of the cliff overlooking the site.
While living alongside a major construction project has not been without its challenges, Marian says she has enjoyed getting to know the team working on site.
Marian said: "I've become infamous in the neighbourhood; everyone keeps knocking on my door because they want to have a look.
"I quite like it actually, looking on the bright side. It's a worry sometimes, but I have to say Billy Dunbar from KCC and the CAN guys have been so upfront informing me if I want to ask anything.
"I'm going to miss them when they're gone, because they're such a nice group of lads.”
For Marian, the Road of Remembrance is more than just a road, she has a personal family connection to its history.
She said: "One of the things for me is the importance of that road being rejuvenated and being remembered as it should be.
"My father was killed in the Second World War in Italy. There are still generations here who would have had grandfathers marching down that hill to the boats not knowing what they were about to get into and until now it has been a bit buried, but we can do a lot more.
"It should be one of the things people are aware of when they come to visit the town."
The next steps
Once the soil nailing is complete, we will move on to the next stages of the project. Protective mesh and surface coverings will be installed to help prevent loose material from falling onto the road and to protect the cliff from future weather-related erosion.
Together, these measures will create a more resilient cliff face and help protect the road for years to come.
All of this will happen before the final stage of the project which will be resurfacing the Road of Remembrance.
“We know the closure has been frustrating, and I'd like to thank residents for their patience while we worked through the challenges and got this major project underway.”
Peter Osborne, KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "It's great to see this important work well underway. Reopening the Road of Remembrance has always been a priority for KCC because we know how much this route means to local residents, businesses and visitors. This is not just another road, it is an important part of Folkestone's history.
“We know the closure has been frustrating, and I'd like to thank residents for their patience while we worked through the challenges and got this major project underway. Marian in particular has been a real trooper. Most people would have given up and moved out, but not Marian. She loves us for some reason, and we love her too.”
