On February 10, 2026, Kent County Council launched a county-wide public consultation asking residents — including those in Folkestone — for their views on how the county’s footpaths, bridleways and byways should be prioritised for maintenance. The council is seeking feedback on which routes should receive attention for tasks such as vegetation clearance, stile and gate repairs, and path surface improvements.
The review comes as Kent County Council faces a projected £60 million budget gap for the 2026/27 financial year. Officials say the exercise will help identify which parts of the 7,000 km Public Rights of Way network provide the most public benefit so limited resources can be focused where they will do most good.
Local budget reporting and council documents say difficult decisions will be required to manage rising costs. The outcome of the consultation could influence which routes are cleared or improved for daily leisure users, dog walkers and people using paths for short local journeys.
Residents can submit views via the council’s online engagement portal, Let’s Talk Kent; the consultation is expected to remain open until late March 2026. The council anticipates putting the revised operational maintenance priorities in place for the summer 2026 clearance season.
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