New signs will guide families, walkers and cyclists away from dangerous roads.

After months of negotiation with landowners Dover District Council and Kent County Council, eight new finger posts have been installed at sites between Walmer and Kingsdown near Deal.

They steer people away from central roads like Kingsdown Road towards more scenic and safe paths – particularly the footpath along the seafront.

The project has been created and funded by Walmer Parish Council with some financial support from KCC councillors Derek Murphy and Trevor Bond.

Cllr Murphy said: “We were delighted to support this initiative to help make this busy road which has no footpaths for people to use a little safer."

Cllr Bond added: “The road is heavily used by visitors and walkers during the summer months and it is a difficult road to walk along particularly before reaching Walmer Castle from Kingsdown.

“It is also very scary both for pedestrians and drivers at night.

"In places there is nowhere for pedestrians to get off the road and during heavy rainfall there are some areas of flooding. Many pedestrians and cyclists fail to carry lights or even wear any high visibility clothing.”

Cllr Brian Pitcher, chairman of Walmer Parish Council’s amenities and environment committee which oversaw the project, said: “Obviously this is not a magic cure for the problems of travelling along this road but we hope that if people see the signs and follow the advice it will make their journeys safer and much more pleasant.

“I would like to thank our office staff for the diligent way in which they steered us through the minor jungle of permissions, legislation and bureaucracy to enable this project to happen and to our KCC councillors for helping us to achieve fulfilment of this project with some funding from their members’ grant.”

Cllr Sue Le Chevalier, chairman of Walmer Parish Council, said: “Walmer Parish Council is always on the lookout for ways in which we can help improve the lives of local people and the council is always open to suggestions from members of the public so please, if you have any suggestions, contact the office."

The office at 8, The Strand, Walmer, is manned from 9am until 3pm Mondays to Thursdays and from 9am until 12noon on Fridays or call 01304 362363.

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