New Egrets Way Route – This is an update on the previous circular
The restricted Byway order for the track, is due to be finalised on the 28th of January, and Egrets Way (EW) have indicated their intention to abandon the agreed route round the pond and under the Church and to route down the track by the sailing club and through the village. This route was originally applied for, by EW around 2013, and the one that most residents, for safety reasons, opposed at the time, feeling that it would funnel more cycle traffic through the narrow Street.
As the track is now a restricted Byway, EW have the right to route it that way. Although it may have appeared all along like a devious plan, the PPC have been assured, that EW were not involved with the original Byway application. The application was made, partly with the stated intention to assist EW through the village and despite the applicant being aware that the residents and landowners at the time all objected to it being a cycleway. EW informed him, that they had distanced themselves from the application, for fear of damaging the progress made with the alternative route. (EW forwarded the email exchange to the PPC to confirm this.)
Now everyone has no choice but to accept this route. This is probably, the only part of EW project which has left a bad taste, being against local and the landowners wishes, which is a shame.
The reasons given are, that it is cheaper and the best use of public funds, and an easier, more accessible route. Which are all valid points.
Alister Linton-Crook writes.
“As the South Downs National Park Authority Project Lead Officer, I wish to confirm our position outlined yesterday:
– On 3rd December East Sussex County Council, directed by the Secretary of State made a public order to add a Restricted Byway to the Definitive Map. When designated the new Public Right of Way along the access track servicing the sailing club, stables, and fields between The Street to Footpath9 on top of the riverbank, will legally be open to walkers, horse-riders, cyclists and drivers / riders of non-mechanically propelled vehicles (such as horse-drawn carriages).
– As the new Restricted Byway also connects with the Egrets Way route at the riverside, it also provides a lawful access for EW users to connect with the public highway and the village. This level access would be particularly beneficial to cyclists and the less agile (including wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs etc) and a more favourable alternative to the current agreed EW route which involves a footpath (dismount section for cyclists) with uneven steps where it passes the old barn / boathouse.
– Discussions are on-going with landowners and stakeholders to consider the options now available, including linking the EW riverside path from the south with the Restricted Byway only and potentially improving the Restricted Byway surface, which SDNPA believe would carry additional community benefit. All options require further exploration with landowners in the New Year before any decision can be made on the preferred option and best deployment of the secured public funding.
– The Egrets Way, SDNPA and Sustrans have worked tirelessly for many years and will continue to do so with landowners and stakeholders to develop a route for the EW through Piddinghoe.”
It is disappointing that the many hours of discussions, agreements and time spent by the PPC Councillors, Sustrans and SDNP over several years, amicably reaching an agreement for a route, has been completely wasted. So, decision made, and end of story, there is nothing further the PPC can do, so let us make the best of it and use it.
As always, I try not to express an opinion in circulars, my intention being, to convey the facts about matters that impact the village and residents. However, although the change of route does not impact me personally, I cannot help but being disappointed and dispirited, that the tremendous number of hours of my life, over several years, working for the Village with Egrets Way, assisting them with the route, have been completely wasted.
Happy New Year to you All
Nick Woolger
Chair Piddinghoe Parish Council
