Public Rights of Way natural surface vegetation clearance

From: East Kent Public Rights Of Way & Access Service

You will be aware that we run large scale surface vegetation clearance contracts through the spring and summer months, to keep the network of paths open and available. This year we were due to procure new contracts and this has been taking place over the winter, with new five year contracts awarded in April.

Unfortunately we have been experiencing some problems within the Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe, Dover and Sevenoaks Districts. Many of the paths have still not been cut or those that have, may not be up to the standard we expect. We would usually be expecting the first cut to be nearing completion by now.

I just wanted to let you know that we are working hard with the appointed contractor to overcome these issues and concurrently are working up a backup arrangement with other personnel available to step in at short notice. Either way I expect to be back up to speed within two weeks, but it could still be another month before the first cut is completed to our satisfaction.

I can only apologise for this and reassure you that we are doing all we can to get back on track and ask for your patience whilst this problem is resolved.