Below is Gravesham, north of the A2 (apologies to Istead Rise, Cobham and Meopham*):
Gravesham Borough - North of the A2
And here is the same image, but with Google's layering option of including cycling infrastructure. Google Maps builds its cycling layer by combining official council data, local partnerships, automated mapping, and user feedback to categorise routes by safety and infrastructure. This is what Google will use to recommend cycling routes between two places.
Gravesham Borough, including Google's cycling layer
First-and-Last Mile Infrastructure Gap
The first thing that jumps out is how little of Gravesham is deemed 'cycling friendly'. Gravesham is home to two National Cycling Networks (a series of integrated system of safe, signed paths and routes designated for cycling, walking, and wheeling across a country) - the NCN 177 and NCN 1. The NCN 177 runs along the old A2 from Ebbsfleet to Strood and beyond. The NCN 1, the first ever route, runs from the centre of town out towards Higham (the entire route connects Inverness to Dover).
NCN 1
The two routes provide scenic and safe cycling, walking and wheeling and we are incredibly fortunate to have both within the Borough. Not only that, the NCN 177 provides direct access to the Cyclopark which offers a huge range of fitness opportunities, and with a very clear vision of being a community hub for health and wellbeing.
NCN177
The sad reality is however, that both routes are under utilised within the Borough due to the complete lack of safe infrastructure to access either easily by bike or foot. One of the 'dedicated cycling' routes (according to Google) towards the NCN 177, Wrotham Road actually looks like this:
Wrotham Road: 40mph speed limit with nothing other than a painted line to protect cyclists.
The other longest stretch of 'dedicated cycling' routes (again, according to Google) is along the A226 from Lions Garage to Strood, and looks like this:
A226: This stretch is 50mph with just a strip of paint as 'protection'.
Under national guidelines (LTN 1/20), painted lanes on high-speed roads are explicitly recognised as unsafe and ineffective at encouraging active travel.
Why does this matter?
The benefits of active travel are huge both for the individual and the wider community. This includes, but is far from limited to:
- Reduced mortality and poor health risk
- Enhanced mental wellbeing
- Reduced air pollution
- Decreased traffic congestion
As well as huge economic benefits for both the individual and local businesses.
To take just the first benefit - mortality and health risk reduction. It is a sad fact that Gravesham has some of the worst health statistics within the whole of Kent. Government statistics show that
- 40% of Year 6 (10/11yrs) children are considered overweight or obese (compared to 32.7% for Kent)
- 44.4% of Year 6 children are physically active (compared to 49.5% for Kent)
- 69.5% of adults are overweight or obese (63% for Kent)
40% of Year 6 children are overweight or obese, with just 44.4% considered 'physically active'
If we want people of all ages - from children riding to school to adults commuting - to choose cheap, clean, and healthy travel, we must build physical routes that regular people (and not just hardened 'cyclists') will actually use.
None of this is new to Gravesham. In fact, Gravesham has its very own Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan ('LCWIP') which is a long-term, evidence-based strategy created by the Council to plan, improve, and prioritise networks for walking, wheeling, and cycling.
But does anyone else actually want to cycle?
The short answer is yes. Evidence from Cycling UK shows that there is a huge desire to be able to cycle more. The number one barrier people state to not doing? Not feeling safe on the roads.
With the recent announcement of £4.5 billion to be invested in active travel over the next five years, there is a real opportunity to make a huge difference to Gravesham's cycling landscape. The reality is that for any of this to come to fruition, the council needs to see there is buy in from the community.
What needs to happen next
As a minimum we need:
- Priority routes connecting to NCN 1 and 177 require physical barriers or quiet neighborhood link routes.
- Council accountability: KCC and Gravesham Council must align future road improvements with national LTN 1/20 standards.
How you can help
We need your voice to show decision-makers that Gravesham wants safer streets.
- 💬 Join Safer Streets Gravesham: Get involved with our campaigns, follow us on social media and sign up to our mailing list for updates.
- 📧 Email your local councillors: Ask them what they are doing to implement Gravesham’s LCWIP. Highlight the issues specific to your area. If you need help, get in touch: saferstreetsgravesham@gmail.com. Copy us in!
- 🗣️ Spread the word: Share this post with friends and neighbours in Gravesham.
Gravesham has the potential to be a beacon of active travel. We deserve streets where anyone, from eight to eighty, can travel safely. It is important to remember:
With your support and community action, we can make safer streets a reality.
*and for those in Istead Rise and Meopham...sadly the picture doesn't look any better:
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