Cycle route unveiled

PLANS for a Seaford seafront cycle route have been unveiled.

East Sussex County Council planners have devised three cycle route options costing up to 345,000 which would link up to a proposed National Cycle Network. They are:

l Option one, 230,000. A cycle route from Edinburgh Road along the north pavement of Marine Parade to Dane Road. The pavement would be split to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. From Dane Road a path would be built along the north side of the Esplanade. The current Esplanade pavement would be widened so that it could be shared by cyclists and pedestrians along to Martello Road.

l Option two, 345,000. From Edinburgh Road cyclists would share the south side of the Marine Parade promenade with pedestrians, but separated by a low wall.

At Dane Road the route would join the Esplanade. Road bumps would be installed along to Martello Road.

l Option three, 160,000. A combination of options one and two. The cycle route would share the north pavement of Marine Parade with pedestrians between Edinburgh and Dane Roads.

Just before Dane Road cyclists would be given priority to cross to the south side of the Esplanade.

Plans for a route between Edinburgh Road and the railway bridge at Bishopstone have yet to be finalised.

Seaford Town Council members were pleased planners seemed to have taken on a variety of viewpoints when devising the schemes.

However, concern was raised for cyclists safety at Bishopstone Bridge and that an influx of cyclists could cause problems for pedestrians.

Mayor Les Whittle said: 'I hope that all these hoards of cyclists will not be an inconvenience to the people of Seaford.

Cllr Roger Frost added: 'Like all compromises it will be less than perfect.

The council agreed a proposal by Cllr Jill Rosser to back option three on the basis that the county took on the town council s safety concerns about future possible routes through East Seaford, the A259 and the Litlington road.

In addition, they want planners to look at another possible cycle route from Newhaven along the A26 to Beddingham, and east along the old coach road to Alfriston.

Within the next two months the county council will undertake a public consultation exercise before deciding which scheme to proceed with.

East Sussex County Council hopes to finance the project with European Interreg funding.