How can we make it easier to cycle in and around Rye? Our town has huge potential for cycling, given that we’re mostly surrounded by flat land. We’re also fortunate that we’re on National Cycle Route 2 (NCN2), a long-distance coastal trail stretching 360 miles from Dover to St Austell.
The problem is that the current route through town goes up and down a set of steps and is mostly on roads which aren’t suitable for families, children or less confident cyclists.
Sustrans has recently re-surfaced some sections of NCN2 but more needs to be done. ESCC’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) recommends a shared route from Monkbretton Bridge to Strand Quay via Rock Channel, which would provide a safer route through the town and improved connections to the east and west of Rye.
This route could be extended across the mouth of the Tillingham at Rock Point – not as a road bridge, but as a pedestrian, disabled and cycling bridge. A swing bridge wouldn’t hinder boat traffic to Strand Quay and would support the Rye Neighbourhood Plan by improving the town as a visitor destination, promoting green tourism, encouraging connectivity and sustainable transport, and fostering community health and wellbeing. It would also support the development of the King Charles III Coastal path – and the proposed housing on Rock Channel could provide funding.
Creating a new route through Rock Channel is the first step – please come along to discuss this and other ways to promote active travel in Rye on Wednesday, April 2 at 7pm in the Queen’s Head in Landgate. All welcome or contact: info@sussexgreenways.org
Image Credits: James Stewart , Nick Hanna .
I’m pretty sure that, before the pandemic (and other misfortunes) hit, Martello had a similar idea in mind to link up their planned developments at BridgePoint and along the Winchelsea Road river frontage ie. the Grist Mill site.
Now that they have put some flesh on those developments – as publicised by the recent event at The Winery – perhaps Sussex Greenways could usefully engage them in dialogue?
It never hurts to talk!
Thank you Pip, I have been doing that too…
Great idea. I’m an active cyclist and anything to improve things is applauded. I have to say they have done a great job resurfacing half of the Lydd to Camber track. It’s like a cycling motorway now. Just hope they plan to finish that other half up to Lydd!!
The cycle path from Jury’s Gap to Lydd was upgraded to a tarmac finish last year and very good it is too.
Hopefully the section from Monkbretton bridge to the Camber road will be done once the flood defences are finished.
This would be great. Currently having to cycle on the Winchelsea Road is too dangerous for anybody.
While I agree that it would be a good idea to put a bridge across the river, I have advocated that idea for a long time, would it not be better to go across the River Brede either behind Wrights or even from Martello Marine (Philips Old Yard) where it would connect up with the existing cycle path on the Harbour road. It would negate having to upgrade the foot path and cut the footfall by the Rock Channel Quay and building two bridges.
Many years ago I suggested a bridge from Mason Road on the Tilling Green Estate across the River Tillingham to the Thomas Peacocke school. This would allow many children walking and cycling access without increasing congestion along Udimore Road and the Level crossing.
There is no doubt that there has never been any joined up thinking about walking and cycling around Rye as once you get to the Monkbretton bridge from Camber there are no satisfactory or safe routes to access or Bypass the town.
Building a swing bridge will I fear be at such a high cost it will never happen.
A possibility would be to have a path along the east side of the Rother from Monkbretton bridge to the Railway bridge and if it was accepted that the second railway track would never reopen then could the vacant track be fenced off to give access to Love Lane.
If the Railway was not an option then a path along the west side of the Rother around the cricket field and possibly gain access to the south of the railway track and still end up on Love Lane.
From Love Lane around the Schools and of course access by foot and cycle to the Leisure Centre carry on across a new fixed bridge to Mason Road and then join up with the Cycle path at the bottom of Cadborough. This also gives access to the south side of Rye and Rye Harbour.
Lots of possibilities, just needs some positive thinking.
Perhaps, after we elect a Sussex Mayor next year (2026), money will be freed up for strategic projects of this sort – the government has indicated that money and power will be devolved to the Mayor. When the candidates are announced we could raise the bridge issue with them.
Despite my six years’ experience as a Rother District Councillor I still live in hope!
In 2014 and 2019 The artist I represent Mackenzie Thorpe was heavily involved in the Tour de France & Tour De Yorkshire! as an artist and not a cyclist- one man, one arm he spouts…
This brought an amazing lift in tourism, health & well being and so much more through out the Yorkshire Dales. Anything we can do to improve the opportunity for cycling is a big yes, happy to host an event at my gallery with said artworks!
It’s really time to look at the bigger picture in this town, if the Rye bypass had been built 40 years ago and not opposed by Nimbys, there would be know need to talk about bridges around this town,this is the 3rd bridge,with the other two seemingly kicked into touch, As we are now a tourist town, the increase of tourist traffic and through traffic is becoming unstastainable in this town, let’s protect all from the chaos and pollution, and not just the privilege few
Phew! A swing bridge won’t come cheap, add to that planning and design and I’m not holding my breath.