MORE than 100 people crammed into Whitstable's Horsebridge Centre on Friday and Saturday to view designs for the two bridges for the Crab and Winkle cycle path.

The bridges will link the existing path from All Saints Close near the train station to the harbour by replacing the original bridges which spanned Old Bridge Road and Teynham Road.

The bridge which went across Teynham Road is believed to have been the first railway bridge built in Britain. It was demolished in the 1960s.

Landscape gardener Jonathan Baker, 51, of Aurelie Way said: "I think the plans are absolutely superb."

Chris Rogers said: "I spent my first 23 years in Whitstable and think this is a great idea. The Crab and Winkle line is of national significance."

Some residents want the proposed line, which goes near their back gardens, moved onto the original line of the former track to provide more privacy screening.

David Young, the project controller for sustainable transport charity Sustrans which is behind the project, along with the Crab and Winkle Trust, said: "We had a steady stream of people who, I think, found the opportunity useful. There was a lot of positive feedback and, of course, some criticisms.

"We will be taking on board sensible, constructive criticisms before we submit the final plans to the city council."

Drawings are now on show at Whitstable Library until Friday March 26.

Simon Pratt, regional director of Sustrans, said: "This is the first time people have been able to see the new bridge plans. They are for Whitstable so it is important local people have a say."

Original planning permission for two bridges was given in 2006 but has since expired.

Sustrans is part-funding the Whitstable scheme with £500,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.