Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #293 - Path Permanently Closed - No Access to Castle

Earlier this year the east curtain wall path was removed, and access to the castle via this route was permanently closed.  

Personally, I was really disappointed by this action having used the path throughout my childhood and adulthood to enter Castle Lawn. I'd slid down the banks on trays in the snow (when there were no Health & Safety concerns and life was maybe more exciting) and rolled down the slope during summers. My children did the same. No doubt many other Tonbridge residents now miss this entry point and the stunning views it allowed.  Even last year the path enabled our very own Dame Kelly Holmes to descend its length to bring the Olympic Flame to Tonbridge.

But ... now's it's gone because a survey found an instability of the earth embankment below the curtain wall. According to TMBC it was considered that this  'MIGHT, if left unchecked, also damage the fabric of the Ancient Monument and give rise to issues of public safety'. After consultation with English Heritage the removal of the path was the 'preferred solution, being a readily achievable, less intrusive and more cost effective way forward'. One can interpret that as one wishes, but it could read as an easy, quick and cheap solution. Maybe that was the best way? Maybe it could have become unstable in the future, dangerous to the public and the historical wall damaged. Maybe it could have been saved. But now there are no more maybe's ... now this access has been lost.

In a recent article in the Tonbridge Civic Society newsletter Peter Charlton called for a clean-up of the former path and area:-

'We are appalled by the state in which the ground has been left below the Castle Wall after the highly expensive removal of the 'unsafe' path, from which both we and many tourist used to get one of the best views of Tonbridge.

Even is there is no possibility of the path being re-instated, it is high time that something is done to improve the appearance of this weed-infested unkempt eye-sore, with cheap inappropriate fencing, in the very centre of the town.'

Yesterday, I did  pass this area and noticed a couple of workmen precariously balanced on the slope chopping down bushes and cutting the grassy bank. So, perhaps a clean-up is starting.

What do you think? Do you think this was a loss? Don't you care? Will you be happy to see this area cleaned up and planted? I'd love to see a bank of daffodils and crocuses in the Spring and the slope planted with flowers. Maybe even the word 'Tonbridge' in flowers. Any ideas?