Respect for allusing promenade

I do hope that his fear is not founded on any real incidents in the recent past.

First of all, I would like to clarify that what is proposed is not a separate cycling track on which cyclists may career along, at whatever speed they wish, barging anything and anybody on their path.

Leisure cyclists would be allowed to share the existing spaces giving pedestrians, with or without sticks, absolute priority.

The promenade is undisputedly Bexhill’s best asset, both for the residents and the visitors.

The Next Wave project (whatever your opinion as to its architectural merits) has recognised this, as can be seen by the facilities incorporated in its structures to make the promenade more attractive to parents with children and young people in general.

The whole ethos of the project is to widen the use of the promenade, to develop it more into a leisure area for everybody’s enjoyment.

I also have retired to Bexhill, three years ago and wish that I had done so earlier. Like many, I too was attracted by its slightly weathered, old-fashioned look. But, with time, everything changes.

Even a casual look around the centre of town reveals a changing population of younger people with babies and growing families.

The promenade must also serve them, with a secure space where parents can take children to teach them how to ride a bicycle and to share those rides with even people like me, in my 70s, who like to glide along on a bike rather than subject tired limbs to the impact of walking.

Oh yes, there will also be joggers, skaters, mobility scooters, dog walkers...the whole spectrum of a lively town.

The overriding principle is that of respect. Respect for our environment and respect for others.

I fully respect Mr Comley’s right to walk along in peace and only ask that the same respect be afforded to me if I like to cycle responsibly on the promenade.

ROBERTO BINI

Bexhill Wheelers