Cycling the Egrets Way all the way into Lewes

Saw a poster in Iford yesterday for a upcoming consultation on C7 safety. I'll try and get the details Monday.

No... that section just north of Southease was always rough.... "at the reques

this is a real shame and sort of defeats the point of the way as a cycle path, for most cycle means suitable for any cycle not MTB or gravel specific. I had hoped they would do this stretch when they came to finish it

I completely agree. And to get on to this section from the south, cyclists also have to go through a double gate - just for extra hassle and making sure you know you're unwelcome. And a (locked) single gate is just by the side of the double gate. I read a while ago that landowners were given special dispensations for allowing the Way to pass through their land - i.e. for the Way to become a bridleway - things like being able to build holiday homes. It seems that this landowner was particularly ungiving and stingy, and was allowed to get away with it. A shame as you say, but I did enjoy being able to cycle all the way up into Lewes for the first time the other week.

I don't think this is working at all. It's deteriorated considerably in the few weeks since I was last along here. The entire section now from Southease Eastbound until it finishes is an absolute state. Covered in sheep shit and a lot of grass growing back with some sections already starting to just look like a field. Most of it just looks like any other farm track in the area now. I reckon at this rate it'll have totally disappeared by next year. I only saw one rider this morning and he was opting for the riverbank instead. Signage is terrible as well nothing at the Southease end either at the C7 turn off or at the bridge. Just one A4 sign in a hedge by Chapel Barn on the C7. If they end up letting this one go "Back to nature" because it wasn't used would be a shame but I believe it would be if it was better surfaced, maintained, sign posted and promoted in that order

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What a shame.

I only saw one rider this morning and he was opting for the riverbank instead

If the bridleway is in such a state that a cyclist is opting for the footpath, that's a terrbile failure.

Yeah I must admit I have chosen to avoid it one or two times recently becuase I keep my bike in the office, and it gets covered in sheep shit from this short section if condtions are a bit soggy. The sheep seem to love to congregate on it too.

In more positive news, has anyone tried the posh new A27 cycle path?

https://www.bestbritishbikerides.com/2024/07/31/photo-essay-check-out-this-new-75-million-bicycle-road-that-laura-laker-calls-britains-best-cycleway/

I think its @RobVB approved

Yep it’s good! Much of it is away from the road and it’s a great to not have to go north to get between Firle and Alfriston on the road bike.

it is very good but you need to be cautious at the the crossings. some cars come flying out of Charleston or Berwick.

Other than that it is awesome.

They’ve finished (I think) the bits of the egrets that they are surfacing, I rode it on Friday night (14th sept) and felt smooth enough and safe enough to do by front light. There were a fair few cow pats , not sure if that’s an escapee or this will be used for moving cattle. If the latter I’m not surface the surface will age well. The gap section is as bad as ever which is a real shame , a routes only a route if it’s all working

This is good but not perfect due to design and prioritising cars crossing onto minor roads. Sadly it’s also deteriorating, the edges are starting to crumble in places and there’s a dangerous descent cause by subsidence which bounces your wheel off the ground if you don’t know it’s there . More encouraging is just how well used it is by all. Like the egrets it’s let down by the connection into Lewes (dodge broken glass by the tip) and Polegate (route spits you out into busy junction)

Anyone going?
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24749479.cycle-lewes-invites-public-agm-lewes-town-hall/

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?

In fact I just saw the Egrets way commenced in 2010. So 14 years, maybe there is hope… sort of

The Egrets way does not fit my definition of a cycle path in a few ways. It is not entirely traffic free, it is not usable by all bicycles and it does not provide a convincing better alternative to the road.

I'm working so can't make it. I'm sure it will be a frustrating experience as I'll just be pointing out the same problems as everyone else with I guess the same wishlist. Some of the flaws and solutions seem obvious but frustratingly not to those making any decisions.

I'll be on the Seaford bends path on Sunday which is so much better. It's older but in way better condition and is well used. The surface is so much better and that's not just because of the lack of sheep shit like on Egrets which I suppose can't be avoided at certain times of the year.

Which path is this? I'm still getting my bearings in the area. Sounds like one to check out.

Its just a section that runs next to the A259 Denton corner to Seaford. Only a couple of miles long but keeps you off the fast road and you can turn south at the Seaford end to Tidemills or along the Seaford seafront to just past the Martello Tower. It's a nice stress free ride. The Seaford bends aren't the worst as the road is fairly wide but I don't like it in the dark.

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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.

I spoke to a councillor about this when I was in Lewes last, the town council is Green but the highways are managed centrally by East Sussex which is Tory dominated. So you have this messed up form of democracy where the town council cant change their own roads, they've tried to widen the pavements etc, but the East Sussex Tories love the through traffic and refuse any requests for change.

I'm fairly often in Lewes (my parents live there) and I'm always particularly annoyed by the 'pedestrianised' Cliffe High street which is generally full of cars parked on what looks like a pavement but appears to be mostly parking for the antique shops, betting shop, etc. the road is supposedly access only, but as there's no enforcement people just drive along it anyway. Frequently see people having to manoveure pushchairs round parked cars into the path of cars that shouldn't actually be driving down there.
Second most infuriating thing is the narrow overgrown path alongside the A26 out of town - main route to the industrial estate, etc, but it's horrible to walk or cycle along and needs a proper pedestrian/bike crossing to the industrial estate.

Lewes has always suffered from being surrounded by rabidly Tory small villages/countryside.

The cycle path to Ringmer is quite good at least. Though getting onto it is less so.
I usually just ride offroad when I'm visiting.

I'll catch up on latest cycle gossip when i'm next down there. I think my Dad said some slow progress was being made with Egrets way, etc. I believe it's mostly the fault of that farmer with the land in the middle.

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.

@cmyj nice one thanks for reporting back, shame I couldn't go. Useful info.
New mp has been at my work a lot recently (local charity) and seems to be alright.