Vision for ambitious Bexhill cycling and walking network

East Sussex County Council’s is consulting the public on its first local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP).

The draft document splits the county up into six areas: Eastbourne and South Downs (including Hailsham and Polegate), Hastings and Bexhill, Newhaven area (including Peacehaven and Seaford), Lewes and South Downs, rural Rother and north Wealden & north Lewes (including Uckfield, Heathfield and Crowborough).

Proposed cycle network maps have been produced for each of the areas as well as walking network maps for Newhaven, Lewes, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Bexhill and Hastings.

Alongside this is a programme of cycling and walking infrastructure improvements.

These do not contain detailed proposals, but indicate potential alignments of routes or measures, with an emphasis on demonstrating how they can connect with places people may travel for everyday journeys.

The LCWIP ‘sets out an ambitious network of additional cycling and walking routes and measures integrated with existing cycling and walking infrastructure’.

It adds: “This is set alongside the wider transport network, with the aim to maximise the potential to support new housing and employment space coming forward. This first version of the LCWIP will be focussed on those areas where there are the greatest opportunities to increase levels of cycling and walking.”

In Hastings and Bexhill, the plan says: “With existing links in place connecting Bexhill & Hastings to the north and south, the focus of the preferred routes will be on supporting access to local services. Whilst the topography is challenging, especially in some areas of Hastings, there will be an emphasis on supporting wider projects that aid regeneration, including growth in housing and employment and supporting the visitor economy.”

The proposed Bexhill cycling network (strategic routes are in bold) includes: B1 NCN2, B2 Cooden Beach, Collington, Cranstoun Avenue, Windsor Road, B3 Withyham Road, Little Common, Recreation Ground, B4 Cooden Sea Road, Broadoak Lane, Woodsgate Park, B5 NCN2/West Parade, King Offa Primary, NBDA West, B6 Collington Rail Station – Hastings Direct, B7 Bancroft, Hillside, Bankside, B8 Bexhill Railway Station to Little Common Road, B9 Bexhill Hospital, Gunters Lane, B10 Gunters Lane, Highlands, B11 Norfolk Close, NBDA, B12 Gunters Lane - Sidley, B13 Buckholt Lane - NBDA, B14 NCN2/De La Warr Parade, King Offa Way & NBDA Central, B15 NCN2/De La Warr Parade & NBDA Central, B16 NCN2/De La Warr Parade NBDA East & Central, B17 Retail Park, Pebsham Lane, NBDA East & Central, B18 NCN2/De La Warr Parade, King Offa Way & NBDA Central, B19 NCN2/De La Warr Parade NBDA East & Central, B20 NCN2/De La Warr Parade NBDA East & Central, B21 Retail Park, Pebsham Lane, NBDA East & Central, B22 NCN2/De La Warr Parade, King Offa Way & NBDA Central and B23 Bexhill – Hastings Greenway (Coombe Valley Way).

The delivery of the plan will rely on the county council and its partners securing external funding and buildings on £23million already secured since 2014 to deliver active travel measures through the local transport capital programme.

Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said: “Walking and cycling not only improves people’s health and wellbeing, it can help protect the environment and improve air quality.

“Some people have been able to re-think how they travel since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic with cycling and walking becoming more of an option. We are keen to put in place infrastructure to support the opportunity to change habits and enable others to find more active and healthy ways to travel.”

In line with guidance from the Department for Transport, the county’s first plan will focus on areas where there is the greatest opportunity to increase levels of cycling and walking and therefore, to attract external funding – this includes the coastal strip and larger market towns in the county.

In rural areas, the council will look at how walking and cycling can be supported through its local transport plan, as well as local and neighbourhood plans. Officers will continue to work with local partners to identify opportunities and funding for active travel.

Cllr Dowling added: “It’s vital that people take this opportunity to comment and help us create a plan that supports active travel and understands the needs of local communities.”

The consultation runs until Friday December 11 and all responses will be carefully considered before a final version of the plan is agreed.

To find out more about the plan and to take part in the consultation, visit https://consultation.eastsussex.gov.uk/economy-transport-environment/escc-lcwip-2020/