Milton Creek

Entrance to Country Park at Green Porch Close

Milton Creek Country Park Project

The Milton Creek Country Park is now open with pedestrian access only at seven locations across the park.

In November 2008 Swale Borough Council successfully received £2million from the Homes and Communities Agency (part of Central Government) to invest in Milton Creek Country Park. The project is part of a wider investment in the Thames Gateway across North Kent, East London and South Essex.

The aim of the project is to provide a ‘green heart’ for Sittingbourne, and create a better link between the town centre and the creek. The Saxon Shore Way from Gas Road up to the new Northern Relief Road bridge is now wide and level, making it easier for people with mobility problems or pushchairs to get through. Along the path, visitors can stop at the historic wharves and contemplate the history of the area - the creek is the reason Sittingbourne and Milton Regis are here today!

The remains of several barges can be seen in the creek, now an excellent habitat for wildlife but once they would have transported bricks, paper and London’s waste around the area. Artworks in the reed-bed also remind people of the area's past.

In the country park itself habitats have been enhanced for a variety of wildlife. Three ponds have been especially created for Great Crested Newts, wildflower meadows have been planted to attract bees, butterflies and many other insects. The Forestry Commission has provided funding to plant just under 7 hectares of trees which in years to come will create pleasant areas of shade, and support many more birds and insects.

Accessing the Park

Milton Creek Country Park currently has 7 entrances in use at the following locations:

Kemsley Recreation Ground, Grovehurst Road
Newman Drive (as it turns into Recreation Way)
Walsby Drive (in the housing estate)
Miller Close (in the housing estate)
Green Porch Close (by Holy Trinity Church)
Gas Road (by CPM - formerly Milton Pipes)
Northern Relief Road

Artworks in the reedbed along Milton Creek

All entrances have ‘A-Frame’ gates in place to try and stop unauthorised access by motorbikes. They have been designed and installed following guidelines around accessibility for wheelchair users. The entrances at Gas Road and Green Porch Close also have a gate which can be unlocked by a Radar Key.

We want you to enjoy the Country Park and kindly request you think about local residents when you park your vehicle. Please do not obstruct driveways and leave enough space for residents to access and exit their properties, thank you.

Northern Relief Road Update 2012

The road is now complete and opened on 12th December 2011. This new road will not only ease traffic in Sittingbourne Town Centre, but also provides easier access to the park for residents living on the eastern side of the creek. Although the road is complete, KCC are still completing works 'on the edges of the road'. There is a new entrance to the park from the road which will be getting an 'A-Frame' style gate, to help prevent motorbikes from using the park.

Churchfield Wharf

With work to Churchfield Wharf nearing completion (phase 1) contractors have begun work to reinstate the ‘haul road’ to a primary path; subject to weather this work will be completed at the end of May 2012. This will involve levelling the road out, filling in any potholes, narrowing the width in places, and removing the large heaps of 'spoil' near the Saffron Way compound. ‘Heras’ safety fencing previously placed alongside the ‘haul road’ has been relocated to Churchfield Wharf to protect the groundworks until the autumn planting begins later in the year (phase 2).

Please note that due to the 52-week contract monitoring period which Kent County Council will be carrying out, the Saffron Way entrance will remain closed until early 2013.

Great Crested Newt

Help stop anti-social behaviour

Following some recent anti-social behaviour and a theft from Milton Creek Country Park, please help us stop acts of vandalism, graffiti and crime from taking place. If you are at the park and see someone behaving irresponsibly, please contact:

The 24hr Anti-Social Behaviour hotline: 01795 417575
Kent Police non-emergency number: 101

However in an emergency or if you are in immediate danger, please dial 999.

This link gives some guidance on the issue: How do you report antisocial behaviour

Friends of Milton Creek and Milton Creek Trust

In the past couple of months a group of local residents has now formalised themselves to become the Milton Creek Trust. This group will over see all activities taking place in the park, apply for funding, carry out publicity works, do the admin work etc. The Friends of Milton Creek is a much bigger group of local residents who want to take a more active role in the park, from tree planting, to maintenance and wildlife surveys. The Trust and the Friends will work closely over the coming months and years to carry out projects and community events at Milton Creek.

The Milton Creek Trust has already worked with Swale Borough Council to come up with a 'colour palette' for the park, using the existing logos for the Friends and for the park itself. This colour palette is intended to help keep the 'brand' of Milton Creek Country Park recognisable. A pdf of the palette can be found here: Milton Creek Colour Palette

If you would like more information or would like to join the Friends, please contact miltoncreek@swale.gov.uk. The Trust and the Friends are in the process of setting up their own separate website, and link will be provided here once the website is up and running.

Additional information can be found on the Friends of Milton Creek Country Park Facebook page by clicking the link below.

Friends of Milton Creek Facebook Page

Sunset at Milton Creek

Milton Creek: In Our Memories

This is an oral history project which has been funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and is supported by Swale Borough Council and Swale Council for Voluntary Services (CVS). The aim of the project is to engage a variety of volunteers to interview and record the memories of people who remember Milton Creek when it was a hub of industrial activity.

If you would like to get involved in this project or would like more information please do get in touch:

Laura Bailey
Swale CVS,
Central House,
Central Avenue,
Sittingbourne,
ME10 4NU.

Call: 01795 473828
Mobile: 07928 808960
Email: oral.history@swalecvs.co.uk

Kemsley Community Angling Preservation Society (KCAPS)

With two fishing lakes in close proximity to the new Milton Creek Country Park, KCAPS can provide for all your fishing needs. Please contact Karen Groombridge, Club Secretary on 07504440599 or via email or visit the KCAPS website for further information.