Cyclists' dismay as link road greenway built with no Bexhill access

Cyclist Tim Fouraker cannot understand why the access has not been done at the same time

Work on the shared cycle, pedestrian and bridle path to run alongside the Combe Valley Way began in April and is now complete.

But when Tim Fouraker, of Havelock Road, tried to use it with his 10-year-old son on Tuesday (June 21), he found there was no way to access it from the Bexhill end.

The pair ended up climbing over a fence with their bikes and scrambling down a slippery slope before getting to the path.

East Sussex County Council (ESCC) said the access would be completed ‘shortly’ but Mr Fouraker cannot understand why it would finish the route but not make it accessible.

“This is something that was supposed to be for everybody, especially families who don’t want to take their kids on the roads,” he said.

When Mr Fouraker spoke to one of the greenway contractors, he was told the access was not its responsibility, but would be undertaken by the owners of the new business park.

The father said he could not see any incentive for the business park owners to do this and was worried it would be left uncompleted.

“This is a fantastic development for the whole area but why leave it unfinished? I know a lot of people who want to use it but won’t until its finished properly,” he said.

An ESCC spokesman said the access will be built at the badger fence by Sea Change Sussex.

“Our contractors have completed the full length of the greenway alongside the link road, for which they are responsible,” the spokesman said.

“The contractors for Sea Change Sussex have also completed the temporary section of the greenway which runs through their development site adjacent to the North East Bexhill Gateway Road.

“This contractor will shortly be installing a gate in the badger fence for pedestrians and cyclists, which will allow full and unhindered access along the full length of the greenway.”

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