Many of us discovered the benefits of walking and cycling during the pandemic.
As we recover from Covid, I’m determined to make it easier for people to walk and cycle around our towns and countryside.
This is not only important for local residents, but also for attracting more visitors to Kent – boosting jobs and growth, especially in rural communities.
Last week I joined ramblers and local campaigners at Charing station for the launch of the Heart of Kent Walking Festival as part of English Tourism Week.
It’s a fantastic initiative being organised by Maidstone Borough Council in partnership with the Kent Downs AONB, Medway Valley Countryside Partnership, SusTrans, Kent Community Rail Partnership, Explore Kent, and the Long Distance Walkers Association.
For the launch event, the group walked from Charing station to Lenham station via the North Downs Way. I’ve been working to make this route safer and more accessible after I heard that quad bikes and 4x4s were driving dangerously along the track.
The Heart of Kent Walking Festival is designed to promote Kent as a destination for walkers from far and wide – introducing more people to the beauty of the Kent countryside.
I’ll continue to do everything I can to promote walking and cycling in Faversham and Mid Kent.
