'Wasted chance' as Sussex cycle schemes set to be scrapped

East Sussex County Council officers have recommended not proceeding with nine of the 16 temporary schemes it successfully pitched to the Government.

The Department for Transport granted £535,000 for these schemes but could now “claw back” the money as they have not been implemented.

Schemes set to be scrapped include creating a cycle lane along the A259 seafront road between Peacehaven and Newhaven and widening pavements in Lewes High Street.

Lewes District Council leader Councillor James MacCleary and Eastbourne Borough Council leader Councillor David Tutt said the county council had “failed to deliver”.

“Public expectations were very high, particularly when the county council announced its proposals had been so well received by the Department for Transport that more money had been allocated than had been asked for,” said Lib Dem Cllr Tutt.

Eastbourne Borough Council leader Councillor David Tutt is disappointed many of the schemes have been scrapped

“The fact that so many of the schemes have now been withdrawn has caused reputational damage to the county council and has undermined the huge efforts made by volunteers in the community who have put forward well-researched schemes.”

County councillor Carolyn Lambert said scrapping the plans means some towns such as Lewes and Seaford would not benefit from any walking or cycling schemes.

The proposals set to be scrapped are:

• Wider pavements from the A259 in Bishopstone to Marine Parade in Seaford as “significant works” would be needed
• A cycle lane on the A259 between Peacehaven and Newhaven as works would be “very disruptive”
• Wider pavements in Lewes High Street and School Hill as traders are opposed and social distancing rules have been relaxed
• Wider pavements in Devonshire Road and Western Road in Bexhill as there has been a lot of opposition and social distancing rules have been relaxed
• Wider pavements from Warrior Square to London Road in Hastings as the scheme would be small
• Closing Bolton Road to Langney Road in Eastbourne between 10am and 10pm each day as the impact would be “too significant”
• Partially closing Rye High Street as businesses are opposed to the move.

A county council spokeswoman said some of the schemes were scrapped because “extremely tight” deadlines meant problems with the designs could not be overcome.

Lewes District Council leader Councillor James MacCleary

“As well as strict criteria for acceptable schemes, the Government has insisted that any measures must be in place within eight weeks of money being awarded,” she said.

“We undertook consultation on the measures and we listened to all the feedback before deciding which schemes we could progress.

“However, later this year we will be consulting on our draft local cycling and walking infrastructure plan which will look at longer-term, permanent schemes to encourage active travel.”