Cliffe High Street, Lewes
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Although it's useful to finally be allowed to cycle in both directions, and the streetscape looks much more attractive, we are very disappointed by the roughness of the new cobbles which ESCC assured us at the consultation stage would be smoother than the bone-shaking ones on Cliffe Bridge. However they feel most uncomfortable on a bike or in a buggy or wheelchair, unless you are crossing at the special smooth points. Apparently the cobbles are intended to 'slow cars down' (so no wonder they feel bad on a bike) and were selected for conservation reasons to be just like the ones on the bridge. Some cyclists have even been reported riding on the smoother 'pavements' at quiet times, rather than on the cobbles.
Background
After long-overunning road works (because of the discovery that the ancient drainage culverts under the road had been weakened by un-recorded gas pipes being put through them!), the Living Cliffe scheme is complete and now allows two-way cycling in Cliffe High Street. Cycle Lewes has long argued for this, to avoid westbound cyclists having to use the Phoenix Causeway (near Tesco).
However we are sharing the road with pedestrians and need to take care accordingly. A minimal 3cm kerb marks the pavement, to assist the visually impaired. Lewes Living Streets has also raised concerns about visibility going round corners on the shared-use pedestrian and cycle path between Cliffe High Street and Tesco, where it passes Harveys yard. Do take great care at this point!
The serious overrun on both time and made it harder for ESCC find money for other plans such as the Lewes-Ringmer cycle route and the Offham Road traffic calming.