Walking Route Wins Prestigious National Award

Faversham's East West Cross Town Walking Route has been recognised with a prestigious national award, highlighting the success of a partnership project that has improved opportunities for walking across the town.

Faversham's East West Cross Town Walking Route has been recognised with a prestigious national award, highlighting the success of a partnership project that has improved opportunities for walking across the town.

The route was named winner of the Urban Transport Design Award at the Annual Transport Practitioners Meeting, held in Manchester in July.

The award citation specifically recognised the collaborative work of Faversham Town Council, Kent County Council and Swale Borough Council, whose partnership helped deliver the project and its benefits for local residents and visitors. It was developed through a process of community engagement and draws heavily on the proposals in the Faversham Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

The East West Cross Town Walking Route, which runs from Lower Road, through the town to the Recreation Ground, was developed to make walking across the town easier, safer and more attractive, encouraging active travel and helping people access key destinations without relying on a car.

The walking route has also been selected to feature in a forthcoming Sport England walkability best practice guide, due to be published this autumn. Inclusion in the guide will showcase the project as an example of good practice to local authorities and transport professionals across the country.

Councillor Ben Martin, Chair of the Active Travel Committee at Faversham Town Council, told SFM News: "We are delighted that the East West Cross Town Walking Route has received this national recognition. This award reflects the successful partnership between Faversham Town Council, Kent County Council and Swale Borough Council, and our shared commitment to making it easier and more enjoyable for people to walk around the town. It is particularly pleasing that the project will also be highlighted in Sport England's forthcoming best practice guide, helping to inspire similar initiatives elsewhere."