Wealden council leaders have set aside more than half-a-million pounds for a new bridge, which would form part of a proposed ‘Greenway’ linking Uckfield and Lewes.

On Wednesday (September 2), Wealden District Council’s cabinet approved the use of up to £558,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts to pay part of the construction costs of a new bridge over the River Ouse near Lewes.

The new bridge and its associated infrastructure would form part of the Lewes to Uckfield Greenway — a project, which aims to deliver a traffic-free route between the two towns for the use of walkers and cyclists.

In a report to cabinet, officers said the bridge, which would be expected to replace a demolished railway aqueduct, is considered to be a necessary element of the wider Greenway route.

The proposed route of the Lewes to Uckfield Greenway. Image: WDC

placeholder image — The proposed route of the Lewes to Uckfield Greenway. Image: WDC

The report reads: “The proposed contribution should be considered in the context of the Greenway as a whole rather than Hamsey Bridge as an isolated item of infrastructure.

“The bridge is the largest single infrastructure requirement necessary to establish the Uckfield to Lewes route and is therefore integral to the wider active travel connection serving Uckfield, Isfield and other communities within Wealden.

“The Greenway would support planned and committed growth within Wealden, particularly at Uckfield, by providing additional sustainable transport infrastructure connecting residents with employment, education, services and rail connections in Uckfield and Lewes.

“Although the bridge itself lies within Lewes District, its function is to enable a route which directly serves development and communities within Wealden.”

During the meeting, Cllr Kelvin Williams (Lib Dem), cabinet portfolio holder for public health and asset management, confirmed the construction of the bridge would only go ahead if jointly funded by the council and its other partners in the project.

Cllr Williams said: “We are very fortunate that we have been able to work with partners — the South Downs National Park and also Lewes District Council — to bring together a project which essentially will get the largest bit of the infrastructure needed for this Greenway, to kick it off.”

Cllr Williams: “Once we have all that in place we can then start to go forward with the formal negotiations in terms of contracts etc.

“But, at this stage, this is not saying it is definitely going ahead; this is just a commitment to actually start the first step towards the project.”

The report says Lewes District Council has already committed to another third of the funding, while the South Downs National Park Authority is expected to soon make a decision on the remaining third.

The provision of the bridge had been recommended as part of a wider feasibility study, which maps a potential route for the Greenway.

In their report, officers note how much of this route repurposes historic railway infrastructure, in order to offer a flat, traffic-free corridor suitable for all ages and abilities.

Despite this officers also say the proposed route can be accommodated without prejudicing potential future railway reinstatement, something which is protected by local planning policy.