Wheelchair users, people on mobility scooters and parents pushing prams face a one-mile diversion after plans for a ramped footbridge were ditched in favour of a cheaper, stepped version.
The proposed crossing over a railway line in Kennington, Ashford, will provide a quicker route between a recently-built estate and a planned new school.
It had originally been designed to be accessible for everyone – but now a £3 million stepped footbridge funded by housing developers has been rubber-stamped instead.
Network Rail, now known as South Eastern Railway, says due to the length of ramp required, the more accessible option would cost it twice as much to build.
But disability campaigners have branded the decision a “disgrace” while residents say people unable to use the steps will be forced to take a long and “dangerous” route along a major road.
The bridge plan was first put forward to link two new-build estates – Conningbrook Lakes and Crown Hill View – due to safety concerns over two existing public right of way pedestrian crossings, which can only be traversed on foot.
Now, any hopes of a crossing that will be accessible to all have been dashed.
Conningbrook Avenue resident Wendy Ennor told KentOnline: “I won’t be able to go over the bridge on my mobility scooter. If I did, I’d end up toppling over.
“So it’s going to be awkward for many people but not just me – people with prams will struggle too.
“There’s going to be hundreds of homes going up on the two estates, so you’d have thought the money would have been paid to do it properly.”
Fellow Conningbrook Lakes resident Norman Blackham believes the decision is not only discriminatory but dangerous. Those unable to use steps will be forced into a 1.1-mile diversion onto Willesborough Road (A2070) to access the opposite estate.
For Crown Hill View residents affected, it means longer journeys to reach the Conningbrook Lakes Country Park. For those living at Conningbrook Lakes who cannot use the steps, it means a longer route to a planned new two-form entry primary school at Crown Hill View.
Mr Blackham said: “Willesborough Road currently has a 40mph speed limit with narrow pavements in some parts and, even as an adult, I find it very dangerous walking along some sections of that road, especially with large trucks coming at you.
“Why are there access regulations in place for all kinds of other buildings and structures but an inadequate bridge plan is proposed in order to save money?
“They may as well not bother with the bridge as no one with pushchairs and mobility vehicles or primary school kids on bicycles would use it anyway.
“If it’s being built to reduce danger, then all they are doing is moving the danger from the railway line to a busy major road.”
The new footbridge was given the green light by planning officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) in July.
The decision to decommission the existing Cradle Bridge Crossing and Bolleaux Crossing was approved by Kent County Council’s (KCC) regulation committee earlier this month.
Councillors had requested a breakdown of costs from South Eastern Railway comparing the stepped and ramped bridges.
This revealed that the fully accessible option would require a total spend of £6.3 million.
However, developer contributions from Quinn Estates and Redrow for the new crossing were capped at £4 million when Ashford Borough Council (ABC) approved their housing plans.
KCC papers say additional funding from the council or South Eastern Railway to cover the shortfall for a ramped bridge is “not available”.
The approved footbridge will have 100 steps. ABC says the current pedestrian crossing already has several steps and a stepped solution is safer than none.
Quinn Estates previously described the new bridge as “groundbreaking” and cost-effective solution that improves public safety.
However, Kennington Community Council’s Chris Morley agrees with residents, arguing a ramped design would connect residents more easily.
He said: “We are disappointed with this decision, especially as it will put wheelchair users at a disadvantage for generations to come.”
Access campaigner Doug Paulley warned KCC in August he would seek a judicial review if the authority did not “meet its Equality Act duties and oppose the application”.
This week, he told KentOnline: “I’m considering with my solicitors what my next move will be.
“We’re forever being told rail infrastructure is inaccessible due to its Victorian age, and that active mobility is a good thing and to be encouraged, yet South Eastern Railway, sanctioned by the council, is building new infrastructure that actively excludes wheelchair users and other disabled people, and expressly due to cost. It is a disgrace.”
An initial bid for a ramped bridge over the rail line was approved in September 2023.
However, South Eastern Railway lodged a new proposal this spring which was then approved in July.
Robbie Lough, business development manager for South Eastern Railway – formed by the merger of Network Rail and operator Southeastern earlier this year – said: “As part of the design work, we conducted a diversity impact assessment which found a stepped-only footbridge was the most suitable for this crossing as the approach land on the eastern side of the crossing, which is not owned by the railway, is currently not suitable for those with accessibility requirements.”
KCC’s report presented to the regulation committee says the ramps that would be needed to reach the bridge’s required height, “were so long (over 300 metres on the eastern side) due to the lie of the land, that there was also a negative environmental impact associated with the structure”.
A council spokesperson told KentOnline it was a choice between providing a stepped bridge “or no bridge at all”.
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They said: “The equality impact assessment, undertaken by KCC, and the diversity impact assessment by South Eastern Railway, both reflect the stepped design will have a negative impact on certain groups. This was considered carefully by members before reaching their decision.
“While a ramped bridge would be the preferred solution, the significant additional cost meant it was not deliverable within the current budget.”
Both KCC and South Eastern Railway said they were open to “exploring future opportunities to improve accessibility”.
Construction on the footbridge is expected to begin in spring 2027. It will then be lifted into position.
The first 300-home phase of Conningbrook Lakes has been completed, with the second phase of 170 properties already approved.
Meanwhile, Crown Hill View, also known locally as Large Burton, could eventually total 725 homes, as well as a primary school, Co-op store and new home for Ashford Town Bowls Club.
ABC representative Cllr Katy Pauley, who represents the Conningbrook & Little Burton Farm ward, offered no comment when approached by KentOnline.
