Update on our Fix the Route campaign
In May, Cycle Lewes and Transport Action Network (TAN) began a campaign for a review of the condition and safety of the shared path that many cyclists use along the A27 between Falmer and Lewes. The construction of the Greggs drive-through was a lost opportunity to redesign one of the most dangerous sections of this path.
We gained lots of media coverage and now have the support of three local MPs, Chris Ward in Brighton Kemptown, Sîan Berry in Brighton Pavillon, and James MacCleary in Lewes. Anne Yarrow, representing Cycle Lewes, participated in a live-on air discussion on BBC Sussex of the long standing safety issues about this path and the need to address them.
Our lobbying is paying off. In August the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) convened a meeting with National Highways, Brighton & Hove CC, East Sussex CC and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) to discuss the state of the path.
During the meeting National Highways confirmed that they have commissioned an engineering consultancy, WSP, to undertake a new feasibility study into active travel improvements between Falmer and Lewes. The study needs to be completed by the end of March 2027.
One of the key points agreed at the meeting was that the study should look beyond simply improving the existing path alongside the A27. Previous National Highways work had identified significant ecological and land ownership constraints with that approach, so WSP will also consider potential alternative alignments on both the north and south sides of the A27.
There were also a few other useful points:
National Highways are looking separately at active travel improvements around Ashcombe Roundabout as part of a safety funding proposal.
Brighton & Hove City Council identified that some land adjoining the A27 is in its ownership, which may potentially provide opportunities for an alignment further away from the road.
East Sussex County Council confirmed that Falmer–Lewes is likely to remain a priority in its updated Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and may also have funding available to support feasibility/design work.
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust confirmed that the existing route, currently Regional Route 90, is intended to be re-signed as NCN 290.
National Highways also indicated that, subject to the usual business case requirements, there may potentially be a route into its Small Schemes funding for eventual delivery.
We understand that SDNPA emphasised the strategic importance of the route, which is already identified as a priority in their Active Travel Network Plan, and they pointed to the high-quality traffic-free provision delivered as part of the A27 scheme east of Lewes (Firle to Polegate) as an indication of the sort of outcome that should ultimately be aimed at.
The next important step is for National Highways to bring WSP together with the group to shape the scope of the feasibility work.
Both Cycle Lewes and Transport Action Network think that the latter point will be the key opportunity to make sure National Highways fully investigates a high-quality route rather than simply making incremental changes to the existing roadside path.
We will keep in touch regarding progress. We welcome working with Chris Todd, now a non-Executive Director of TAN https://transportactionnetwork.org.uk/ an effective campaigner in pushing forward this work.