Cyclists, walkers, and horse riders came together at the Memorial Hall in Peasmarsh last Sunday, to promote a traffic-free greenway route between Peasmarsh and Rye.
The five-mile sponsored cycle-walk-ride event raised over £500 and was organised by Sussex Greenways, the campaigning group promoting active travel. Following the High Weald Landscape Trail, the 2.5 mile route has been highlighted in East Sussex County Council (ESCC) draft cycling and walking infrastructure plans.
Nick Hanna, chair of Sussex Greenways, said: “There’s no funding available at government or county level for improvements to cycling and walking routes in rural areas of East Sussex. That’s official policy. So, we’re going to get the ball rolling ourselves by raising funds through this sponsored walk.”
The event, co-sponsored by the 1066 Cycle Club, included a Dr Bike clinic, providing free safety checks and basic bike service for those taking part.
Over 20 people took part in the ride, with 14 bikes checked and serviced.
Sussex Greenways actively campaigns for a rural traffic-free network linking greenways with quiet lanes, to provide more opportunities for active travel, improvements to the quality of life in local communities, and the creation of a low-carbon transport network.
More information can be found here.
Image Credits: Sussex Greenways .
As long as it keeps them all off the main road and holding up the traffic good thing
Bikes are every bit as much of the traffic as cars are. They have every right to be on the roads. Read your Highway Code.
Well said Sam. I would recommend every person who has passed their driving test also has to do a cycle test. Car drivers need to be 1.5 metres away from cyclists when overtaking. For human safety the order of road preference should be pedestrian, cyclist, motor vehicles. In busy towns it is far quicker by bike than car and much better for the environment.
It is very disappointing that central government and ESCC have no plans to support walking and cycling in rural areas. Was the ESCC consultation earlier this year just a public relations exercise with no teeth? With a climate emergency declared in many parts of the country this is the time to make it easier and safer to cycle and walk in the countryside. In addition to the path mentioned in this article, another suitable path for walking and possibly cycling runs along the flood defences from the Rye Tennis Club (who generously allow access) north to Scott’s Float (the sluice). Currently barbed wire and a ‘private property’ sign prevent walking past the Tennis Club property since 2018, but this path along the river is beautiful and not near any homes whatsoever. It would provide a safe route to Iden or a superb circle route back to Rye across the other side of the River Rother. Most of the nation’s footpaths are on private property with no harm to the countryside. Government, regardless of party in charge, need to expand these opportunities. It is truly a matter of the public’s health.
Paul – the finalised Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is due to go to ESCC Cabinet this month. We don’t actually have any sight of it. I like your ideas – do please sign up and join us at http://www.sussexgreenways.org, it’s free!