Letter to the editor: Let’s keep the paths clear
East Sussex County Council are committed, through their transport plans, to encouraging wheeling, walking and cycling but the paths have to be maintained to increase their use.
Across the county many paths are overgrown, have vehicles parked on them, are uneven or are breaking up. So what can the residents do about it?
Here is an example in Edward Road, in Hampden Park, where both cars and vegetation have squeezed 3.5m wide to only 1.5m.
The Government have recently sent advice that Local Authorities now have the powers to take action on pavement parking. The same Council also are responsible for cutting back the vegetation. In winter much of the overgrowth has died back, but will be more of an issue in the summer, when the paths are used more.
Eastbourne’s Bespoke Cycle Group have been campaigning to maintain paths for all users for years. Lottbridge Drove also has a 3.5m wide path, that was for years overgrown, but by complaining eventually it was restored. So across the town it would be good if people reported problems such as paths, potholes and obstructions on this website. https://live.eastsussexhighways.com/report-problem Then chase up with your councillor if nothing is done, especially if it is dangerous.
Many of these reports may well be rejected, as not being a priority, but council officers and councillors will say that if nobody reports it then there were unaware . Regardless it does not take a long time to do and the first question councillors will ask you is did you report it ?
Paul Humphreys – Bespoke Cycle Group, Chichester Close Willingdon