Cycling the Egrets Way all the way into Lewes

I’m planning to, but suspect it will be a frustrating experience. I’ve only been here a few years and am an outsider with only South London to compare to (very unpopular) - but I’m shocked at simple things like how badly overgrown pavements are as soon as you leave the town centre, how few bike railings there are, and generally why no roads have been pedestrianised in such a beautiful old town with tiny pavements.

There is no way to leave Lewes north without going on a 60mph A road. Pavements on both A275 and A26 are impassable and just randomly stop existing after a short while. I don’t understand it! The A275 is popular with cyclists (no alternative), and the ‘pavement’ is more dangerous than the road.

So if these basic essentials can’t be built I’m sceptical a Lewes-Uckfield cycle route will exist in my lifetime, and it might be better not to look forward to the prospect… So I’d like to attend to listen and understand why these processes are so slow. Are you going?

Reporting back.

It was a good panel with the Lewes MP, a planning officer and some councillors. It gave good insight in to the challenges faced but most of it was blamed on East Sussex county council as they manage highways. As I understand, they generally do not, for example, support 20 limits in East Sussex which gives an indication to the focus on cycling. There is hope their approach will change in Spring as they are suspected to lose the current majority.

It was acknowledged there is poor bike parking and they are continuing to try and include it in existing car parks.

One of them made the point that it is frustrating that new paths cannot be made to connect cycle paths throughout Lewes, giving an example of one across the sports field to the railway land that has been requested for many years and is no closer. We also learned from the MP that compulsory purchase of land is very expensive to arrange - if I recall correctly this can be undertaken by county council rather than just Government.

There was talk of proposals to potentially direct and signpost the Avenue Verte through Lewes, and improve signage from Newhaven to boost tourism. This seems logical.

Overall, glad I attended. I got insight in to the inner workings of local government. It however did reaffirm my view that it’s extremely slow moving and expecting any new cycle paths heading out of Lewes in the next 15 years is unlikely. One gave the example of ~4 local transport plans (eg. Lewes, and a broader East Sussex one) which are all consulted in decision making, and design undertaken by external, expensive consultants. A lot of hurdles. Cycle Lewes as an organisation seem passionate and experienced, and unafraid of these challenges.

A note on the new MP - he had spent all day in Parliament on the assisted dying bill, and then attended a cycling AGM straight after in Lewes at 8pm. I respect that value of both large and smaller matters.