Vital West Sussex village bridge link officially opened after four-year project to improve access

The White Bridge Link project, costing more than £1million, has seen a dangerous bridge across the River Adur replaced and footpaths linking the riverbank to Steyning, Upper Beeding and Bramber improved.

Roger Potter, project chair, said: "This new bridge stands as a major community achievement, more than a million pound invested, countless hours of effort and a shared commitment to improving our local area."

The county council funded the majority, with Wilson Trust contributing an additional £125,000, Horsham District Council £58,000 and South Downs National Park £35,000.

Steyning and District Community Partnership identified a need to improve the pathways and access in 2021, particularly for students at Steyning Grammar School.

A team of 12 volunteers set to work, aiming to encourage and enhance sustainable, safe, active travel, connect the communities within the Adur Valley, encourage healthy lifestyles and help improve physical and mental health for all ages and abilities.

Roger said: "Feedback from the public was very positive, so everything in the garden looked rosy. Our first major change, or should I say bombshell, happened 18 months in, when our beloved White Bridge was inspected, condemned and closed.

"Speechless doesn't cover it but we were comforted by updates from West Sussex that they would do all they could in those times of austerity to ensure a suitable replacement would be installed, and the proof stands before you today."

The project team worked closely with the county council to ensuring both the replacement bridge and improved footpaths were successfully completed. Co-operation from landowners had been crucial, Roger said, as well as the Environment Agency agreeing changes to the riverbanks.

Joy Dennis, West Sussex cabinet member for highways and transport, joined Roger for the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, November 21.

She said: "We've really enjoyed working with Roger and the team in this project. I'm really pleased to be able to open the bridge today to link this particular amazing community project that you've all undertaken."

The Rev Diane Marchment, minister of 3Bs Churches, blessed the bridge, the access and all the people who will use it in the future.

She said the improved paths had made it more accessible and as the parish included Upper Beeding, Bramber and Steyning, the bridge provided a link that connected them all.

Reina Alston, who helped initiate the project, said various working parties would continue to focus on sustainable travel projects in the area.

She explained: "The sustainable travel committee is a sub group of Steyning and District Community Partnership which concentrates on creating and improving walking and cycling routes that make sustainable travel between our neighbouring villages easier.

"We do intend to make more routes to link in even further with the White Bridge project. We are also working on the Local Walking and Cycling Plan (LWCP), which will further enhance the network."