More than £350,000 could be spent in East Sussex on temporary schemes for cyclists and walkers – but Rye is not on the list. Work on seven schemes, which include new cycle routes, pavement widening and temporary road closures, will continue after approval from East Sussex County Council’s (ESCC) lead member for transport and environment at Monday’s meeting.
The measures, aimed at providing safer spaces for people to walk and cycle which enable them to easily follow social distancing guidelines, are being developed using money from the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Claire Dowling said: “With the timescale and criteria for acceptable schemes set by government, we are limited in what we can achieve, but are working hard to strike a careful balance between keeping the public safe and supporting businesses in their recovery.”
The proposals being progressed include pavement widening along Hastings seafront and in Buckhurst Place, Bexhill. In addition, it was agreed that a new cycle route along Eastbourne seafront would be subject to further design work and local consultation, before considering whether the scheme is put in place in early September.
Cllr Dowling agreed that proposals to widen pavements in Lewes and Bexhill town centres will not go ahead after concerns from traders.
The county council has submitted further measures to secure £1.6 million in the second round of the Emergency Active Travel Fund which could be in place by March 2021. These are being considered by the Department for Transport and proposals include a School Streets initiative which would help more parents and pupils make the journey to school by bike or on foot. Full details of measures for the first and second round of funding can be found here.
Source: East Sussex County Council
Image Credits: Ray Prewer .
No surprise that Rye is not included in the scheme, ESCC haven’t carried out any maintenance on the existing cycle paths around Rye since they were built over 20 years ago.
ESCC also used £5 million in funding which was taken from the 2018/2019 Walking and Cycling (SE Local Enterprise Partnership) capital funding to cover an overspend on road building in the county.
Little hope for safe walking and cycling then?
When the historical roads of Rye are covered in potholes and neglect, it’s patently obvious no money would be spent caring for walkers or cyclists. I am bemused that the Council Tax for Rye is almost double than that in parts of central London. What exactly is the money spent on down here ?
Many footpaths in Rye should and could be much wider and safer. Potholes need repairing and part time pedestrianisation should be introduced in the high street. This would enhance its medieval character.
It is odd that many suburban streets in London now have a 20mph limit but throughout Rye it remains at 30mph.
Rye’s great strength is its historical charm but its weakness is its ancient roads and footways.