Lewes to Uckfield Greenway: "This Greenway will eradicate all chances of the railway ever re-opening," campaigners say

Their comments came as Wealden District Council (WDC) formally approved £558,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy funding to help pay for a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Ouse between Lewes and Hamsey. This would prove a key element to the creation of a Greenway along the former Lewes-Uckfield rail line.

A Wealden District Council spokesperson says the new bridge would provide a safe, all-weather walking and cycling connection between Lewes and Hamsey, 'offering a greener and healthier alternative to travelling on busy local roads.' It would also improve access to the South Downs National Park.

Earlier this year Lewes District Council (LDC) approved an in-principle commitment of exactly the same sum, subject to planning permission and match funding from project partners.

Cllr Laurence O'Connor. planning cabinet member for LDC, said he was delighted that WDC had approved the funding contribution 'marking another important milestone for this project.' "By creating a dedicated walking and cycling route between Lewes and Hamsey we are supporting healthier lifestyles and better connecting rural communities with employment, education and services in Lewes."

But the element of the scheme that infuriates rail supporters is the council's comment that 'the bridge is expected to be the largest single infrastructure element required to deliver the wider Lewes to Uckfield Greenway,' creating an important new link for people walking and cycling.' With funding commitment secured from LDC and WDC, the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is expected to consider a matched contribution.

Brian Hart who leads the BML2 Campaign said: "As well as submitting our formal objection to WDC Planning, we've written to the SDNPA who had assured us of their support for protecting the trackbed. This is becoming a hotly debated political issue and we want to make people aware of what is really going on. They are kept in the dark.

"We believe this is deception on the part of WDC officers who are asserting, according to a piece in last week's Sussex Express, that 'the proposed route can be accommodated without prejudicing potential future railway reinstatement.' This is wholly untrue. Should this Greenway ever be built as they plan, then it will eradicate all chances of the railway ever re-opening, as they well know."

A spokesperson for the BML2 Project Group said the bridge would be the first stage in creating the Greenway. They went on: "This is not a transport scheme. Saying the route can be accommodated without prejudicing future railway reinstatement, which is protected by local planning policy, is public deception on a mammoth scale. Although WDC and LDC say any new path will not encroach upon the delivery of a rail line, it will inevitably choke off any hope that the full scale track can be delivered."

Meanwhile, Cllr Emily O'Brien, LDC's Cabinet Member for Climate, Nature and food Systems said: "The bridge commitment is exciting news for a project that has the potential to transform how people move between Lewes and Hamsey now, as well as unlocking a future Lewes to Uckfield route. Schemes like this help tackle the climate emergency while improving people's wellbeing. This funding approval brings us significantly close to making the new bridge a reality."