Lewes to Ringmer
Latest news
September 2010: Work is finally under way on constructing the eastern section of the cycle path (from Ringmer to the lay-by by the nature reserve). ESCC needed to act this financial year in order not to lose the £147k of developer funding obtained from the Forges housing development in Ringmer some years ago. We understand that they will also start design work on the western section (from the layby to Malling Hill). This presents some major engineering and planning difficulties (steep banks, flint walls and allotments, for a start) and they will be investigating several options.
During summer 2010 the Sussex Express published several vociferous letters from people who thought the path was a waste of money. It was very good to see Lewes District Councillor Chris Bowers and others - not necessarily cycle campaigners - writing in and strongly defending the use of developer funding to get this project finally started. It's obviously disappointing that it doesn't go all the way through to Lewes yet, but having half of it in place, alongside the obvious need for a path on this route to serve work and school flows in both directions, will make a strong case for getting further funding in future. Everyone using this route - drivers as well as cyclists - should benefit.
Background
Lewes to Ringmer is one of the most heavily commuted routes around Lewes, with flows of employees into Lewes and school and college students in both directions. The distance should be easy to cycle - but the B2192 road with its dense fast traffic at peak times puts off all but the most committed. The potential for switching people from cars to bikes makes a cycle lane here the top-scoring cycle plan using ESCC's evaluation system, but it is an expensive scheme, particularly at the Lewes end where the narrow embanked road would need to be re-engineered.
An alternative idea was taking a cycle path from the top of Mill Road across the nature reserve to the layby outside Ringmer. However many felt that 'utility' cyclists, particularly those new to cycling, could be put off by the steepness of Mill Road and the isolated feeling of a path here. Another obstacle was that the nature reserve managers would only consent to a temporary, rather than a permanent route through their land.