Hoteliers’ upset over Eastbourne cycle lane

They have voiced their concerns as it was revealed the Covid-19 pandemic has already cost the town’s accommodation venues up to £30 million with some reporting their current turnover projections for this year are around a quarter of what they were in 2019.

Plans – put forward by East Sussex County Council for a one-way cycle lane along Grand Parade and Royal Parade and which would lead to the removal of parking bays, disabled spots, bus stops, and loading bays along the route – are expected to be rubber-stamped next week and could be in place in September.

It will be an intermittent advisory lane that will run on the land side of the road and be only for cyclists travelling from west to east along the busy seafront road taking users away from the town.

The hoteliers say that due to parking spaces being removed, it could potentially lead to severe issues with parking for local residents and hotel guests in streets off the seafront.

Under the proposals, cyclists will also have to cross the road at the Fisherman’s Green end to then join the cycle path which runs along the promenade.

Mark Cotman, the chair of the Eastbourne Hospitality Association which represents hoteliers, said, “As an association we definitely agree there is a need for provision for cyclists in the town. However, this proposal poses not just a danger to our businesses but also pedestrians and the cyclists themselves.

“With no barriers, several road junctions and the need to cross the carriageway, I worry a cyclist could be seriously injured – or worse – when using this lane.

“And our many guests who will wish to cross the road will also find their safety compromised, especially those with disabilities and mobility issues.

“We have surveyed our members and it is clear the vast majority of guests to the town arrive by car, which follows the national government guidance. To remove so much parking will have a huge detrimental effect on our hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation, which have only just reopened after more than three months of closure.

“Looking at the proposal in full, I really struggle to understand who will benefit from it and who will actually use it.”

Catherine Clifford, a partner of the Landsdowne Hotel, which sits outside the proposed area of the cycle lane, has spoken of her fears for many of her fellow EHA members if the proposal was approved.

She said, “In a prominent area of Eastbourne where quality hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses are located, I believe the removal of parking bays that serve many of their guests will be of a massive detriment to businesses.

“Eastbourne attracts a wide variety of guests and I am fearful of the impact for those with disabilities, mobility issues, families, or the remaining coaches still bringing crucial visitors to the town. Under these plans they would have to block the cycle route to load and unload, or worst of all simply choose not to come if they know the challenges of the parking situation outside and close by.

“These plans also do not address the operational requirements of our sector, which relies on constant deliveries and collections of essential items. These vans and lorries would be permitted to block the cycle route whilst carrying out their essential activities, which could cause major disruption.

“The Lansdowne Hotel has been in my family for 108 years and we have embraced many changes over the years which have positively impacted local residents and the tourism industry.

“But I cannot see that this proposal would do either.”

Heidi Cowderoy has owned the East Beach Hotel on Royal Parade for 18 years and described the proposal as a “knee-jerk reaction”.

She said, “Every few years this subject rears its head and there is yet to be a sensible resolution. So I am at a loss as to how in eight weeks they have come up with this proposal with little consultation to residents and businesses who will be affected by it.

“We all fully support a long-term, well-thought out proposition for a cycle route for the use of residents and tourists alike, committing to making the town carbon neutral by 2030.

“But this proposal raises far too many issues and concerns for us about the impact on tourism and residents. This is at a time when Theatres have announced they will not open until June 2021 and the event calendar cancelled for the rest of the year. It will detrimentally impact our already fragile businesses in the immediate aftermath of the lockdown.”

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