Volunteers turn old rail track into walking route

The former rail line is to become a footpath and cycle route across the Island

A track once used by steam trains on an island is being converted into a walking and cycling path by volunteers.

The 8.5 mile (13.7km) route across the Isle of Sheppey in Kent ran from Leysdown to Queenborough, until it closed in 1950.

A community group is now working to turn it into a route for walkers and cyclists, to be called the Sheppey Light Railway Greenway.

Swale Borough Council has awarded the group more than £3,000 for the project, with the money coming from the community infrastructure grant.

The money will be used to clear and resurface part of the route and install fencing.

Some work has already been carried out, including cutting away brambles which had made some of the track inaccessible.

The last train ran on the line in 1950

Tim Foreman, chair of the Sheppey Light Railway Greenway project, said: "Using some of the abandoned track is a perfect way to create a safe pathway for walkers, cyclists and those using mobility scooters and buggies to get from one end of the island to the other.

"Some of the land has since been built over but we are busy devising alternative routes with the agreement of current landowners.

"Those who have already used part of the track we have already completed have been really enthusiastic."

Monique Bonney, chair of Swale's property and regeneration committee, said: "This is an amazing project which helps highlight an important part of the Islands history, alongside its beautiful natural environment, whilst encouraging the kind of healthy activity we could all benefit from."