News

Sandgate’s campaign to get Granville Parade beach designated a bathing beach has had a massive boost with news the government has accepted the Parish Council’s application and it is included among 13 new designated swimming sites nationally proposed by the government.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kgngg4wl4o

Designation would mean Granville Parade would get regular water quality testing to reassure swimmers on pollution levels – at the moment our closest water monitoring point is at Seabrook (despite being officially called “Sandgate beach”).

Sandgate Parish Council ran an informal consultation and beach usage surveys in 2025, as a part of the application process. The application was submitted in October 2025, and has resulted in Granville Parade being included as one of 13 potential new designated bathing beaches nationally.

You can take part in the consultation on the DEFRA website.

Sandgate Parish Council Chair Tim Prater said:

“We’re delighted that our application for Granville Parade – Sandgate’s main beach – to be a designated bathing water has moved to the next stage.

“We have got here due to the work of volunteers, and the support of residents, visitors, swimmers, organisations and people from across the community including our MP Tony Vaughan.

“We hope people will input into this survey too and support the designation. Doing so literally puts us on the map, but more importantly means we may get regular water quality testing here, where people swim, rather than at Seabrook Battery Point, where less people do.” 

The Big Green Fair 2026 will be held on 7th June, by kind permission of Saga, in the beautiful setting of Enbrook Park in Sandgate.

Run by Sandgate Environmental Action, The Big Green Fair will include amongst other things:

• Free stalls;

• Information displays and stand;

• Free brochure with details of your charity, project or business;

• Free parking on site and good public transport;

• Beautiful setting;

• A well promoted event as part of Great Big Green Week 2026;

• Talks, children’s activities, wellbeing sessions & workshops;

• Launch of the Wild About Sandgate community nature project;

• Friendly, eco focused audience & community atmosphere.

Why The Big Green Fair? Because there is so much positive and important stuff going on locally. So many people that care about where they live, about climate and nature, their friends, family and communities, and who show they care by taking action, making changes and making a difference. There is so much to celebrate.

The Big Green Fair will encourage even more people to ‘come together for good’, the theme of this year’s national Great Big Green Week.

Thanks to the Folkestone & Hythe District Council Green Grant Scheme this will be a free event both for public and stall holders and promises to be a fun, positive, celebratory, engaging and educational community event.

We have had a lot of interest already and are now taking bookings for stalls and putting together a programme of events. If you, your business, charity, project or group would like to be involved then please email sandgateenvironmentalaction@gmail.com with your contact details and they will be in touch.

KCC need to do gully and shingle works following Storm Goretti (mainly drain clearance) along The Esplanade. To ensure the access needed for some big machinery, parking will be suspended on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade between the junctions with Wilberforce Road & Spencer Court.

Road will be open, but please do not park on The Esplanade on Thursday so all drains can be fully cleaned, and any remaining shingle and run-off removed.

To allow highway improvement works to be carried out, Kent County Council has made an Order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on part of A259 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate.

A closure is planned from 12th January 2026, with estimated completion by 15th January 2026 (rescheduled from 5-7th January), or where stated on a valid Permit (GE40112407550-05 – Kent). The scheduled dates may vary for these works with appropriate signage displayed on site and the works will be displayed on One.Network.

A259 Sandgate High Street will be closed between the junctions of Wilberforce Lane, between the hours of 20:00 and 06:00 only, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while allowing highway improvement works to be carried out, works are undertaken by Kent County Council.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via A259 Sandgate High Street, A259 Sandgate Esplanade, A259 Seabrook Road, B2063 Hospital Hill, B2063 West Road, B2063 North Road, B2063 Military Road and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

For information regarding this closure please contact Kent County Council 03000 418181, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.