21 February 2011 - Keith Taylor, the Green MEP for Kent and the South East, will meet with campaigners in Whitstable today to give his support for the re-instatement of bridges over Teynham Road and Old Bridge Road, Whitstable.

Keith will meet local cyclists at the Mosaic on Albert St to talk with them and to lend his support to the planning application which will allow the creation of two bridges on the Crab and Winkle Way.

Keith, who sits on the Transport and Tourism Committee in the European Parliament said: “Whistable currently has a cycle route in parts which can only become whole and properly used if the two bridges are built. I’m joining local people to give my support to their campaign for these bridges to be built. They would help reduce car use, congestion and air pollution, which are serious problems in this part of Kent.

“Without the bridges Whitstable residents are denied some of the benefits of the cycle path, especially the young who currently have to be escorted across public roads to join the path further along. This excludes many who might otherwise use the route.”

Emily Shirley, a local cyclist said “We really want these bridges to be re-instated as they would benefit the whole community. Plans were previously approved for them to be built and we’ve now been waiting over five years for this final link between Canterbury and Whitstable to be created. I am sure that, as with the last plans, any legitimate concerns raised by local residents can be overcome by sensitive planning conditions.”

ENDS