Have your say on future of East Sussex countryside

East Sussex County Council is asking residents to comment on its draft Countryside Access Strategy, which lays out how its 2,000 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways and 10 countryside sites are managed in the future.

The plan was put together following an extensive study which included an examination of how people use public rights of way and countryside sites and how well the county council looks after them.

The proposals would see the county council continue to manage and maintain public rights of way and two of its countryside sites – the Cuckoo Trail and Forest Way Country Park.

However, the authority would look to transfer management of the remaining eight countryside sites – including Seven Sisters Country Park, Ditchling Common Country Park and Camber Sand Dunes – to other organisations.

Any transfer of sites would be subject to strict conditions over their use, and would only be to organisations with a track record of conservation and working with visitors and the public, who would be able to take on sites, keep them open to the public and manage them better.

The council says the changes would lead to increased community involvement in managing the sites and help people to improve their health, through exercise in green open spaces.

Cllr Carl Maynard, East Sussex County Council lead member for transport and environment, said: “Access to stunning countryside is one of the great things about living in East Sussex, providing benefits for the environment and health and wellbeing.

“To ensure their long-term future, it’s vital that our public rights of way and countryside sites are managed as effectively as possible.

“At a time when the council is having to make savings of £70 million over the next three years, we also need to ensure all our services are as efficient as possible and make best use of our limited resources.

“The draft plan identifies ways we could improve how sites are managed so they better meet the needs of people who use them.

“It’s important that we seek the views of people who use the countryside, and other partner organisations, before any final decision is made.”

People can view the draft Countryside Access Strategy and take part in the consultation, which runs until Friday, July 29 online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Copies of the consultation are also available at libraries and Tourist Information Centres, or on request by calling the contact centre on 0345 60 80 193, emailing [email protected] or writing to Countryside Access Strategy, West B, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent Lewes, BN7 1UE.

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