On November 4 Rother District Council (RDC) will be discussing upgrading the 1066 Country Path, which runs 31 miles from Pevensey to Rye.
The upgrade follows a successful application of funding of £163,272.60 from the Rural Payments Agency under the European Agricultural Funding For Rural Development (EAFFRD) Tourism Infrastructure grant programme. The funding aims to “significantly improve and enhance the signage infrastructure and promotion along the 1066 Country Walk route.”
The 1066 Country Walk was originally opened in the 1990s and follows William the Conqueror’s invasion route – from his army’s landing at Pevensey to Battle, where he defeated the army of Harold II. The Walk then continues from Battle via Winchelsea and ends in Rye. The path is well used but tired in places so an upgrade is welcome. It is expected that the upgrade will take place over the next six months.
RDC’s Cabinet will hear that “the project’s overarching aim is to support rural businesses by enhancing the 1066 Country Walk as a quality visitor attraction, encouraging longer visitor stay and spend, attracting a broader range of visitors and encouraging year round use.” The current walk has a number of outdated information panels and confusing signage.
As part of the upgrade new “bespoke visitor interpretation panels” will be installed along the route “reflecting local history, visitor attractions, eateries, accommodation etc; along with two bespoke sculpture pieces, bespoke seating and sculpture trails, and enhanced promotion of the route.”
In addition to the grant funding of £163,272.60, financial contributions have also been committed from 1066 Country Marketing, East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and Wealden District Council to a total value of £7,000, to support the costs of promotion and signposting; with further “in kind” support to the value of £7,500 from ESCC for their advisory role and the installation of enhanced signposting along the route. RDC will also commit the sum of £6,250 to the project, to be met from the existing tourism budget.
To read the full Cabinet paper, click here.
Image Credits: Kevin McCarthy .
One more example of the local support we get from the EU. This should be shared and celebrated! Many people don’t realise how much EU funding is invested in East Sussex.