Part of National Cycle Route 2 through Rye will be closed for repairs for the next two weeks – with no access for pedestrians or cyclists. Work starts on Monday, January 20 between Gibbet Marsh car park and West Undercliff.
The track, which runs along the railway line and what used to be the pony sanctuary, is part of the cycle route that runs between Dover and the West Country. The route, which is run by the Sustrans cycling charity, will be over 350 miles long when complete.
Repairs along the route elsewhere near Rye are urgently needed, with thick mud, deep ruts and overgrown vegetation for much of the year along the bottom of Cadborough Cliff.
A spokesperson for Sustrans said some repair work has already taken place. “West of Rye we’ve been able to make improvements to the bridges on part of the route which is managed / owned by Sustrans. However, the majority of the route between Cadborough Cliff and the junction with Dumb Woman’s Lane in Winchelsea is a public bridleway and is managed by East Sussex County Council (ESCC) Public Rights of Way.”
Acknowledging work was needed, a spokesperson for ESCC said it was unable to maintain the route as a cycleway. “Our legal responsibility does not require bridleways to be maintained as cyclable routes and it is generally necessary to seek external funding sources to enable them to be improved as cycle routes.”
Sustrans funded the improvement of the bridleway between Rye and Dumb Woman’s Lane when the National Cycle Route Network was established over twenty years ago. Since then landslips, springs and wet weather has deteriorated its condition.
ESCC says vegetation is cleared from the route regularly and discussions about its upkeep were continuing. “The council did approach Sustrans in August 2023 to ascertain if it was able to contribute towards the improvement of the bridleway. Understandably, Sustrans has prioritised improvements locally on the sections of the route which it owns and manages. We are, however, hopeful of further partnership working in the future, and we are keen to work with any parties who may be able to assist with what is a significant and costly improvement project.”
East of Rye, Sustrans has put in place improvements from Jury’s Gap alongside the Lydd Ranges.
Image Credits: James Stewart .