Cycle path on Eastbourne seafront set to go ahead

Originally, transport officials had looked at the idea of removing parking spaces on the seaward side of the seafront from Fisherman’s Green to the Wish Tower so a cycle path could run next to the promenade which is for pedestrians.

But the latest plan appears to show parking spaces being removed on the land side of the seafront outside hotels and holiday flats and it will only be for traffic leaving the town centre and heading towards the Sovereign Centre end of town.

In total 33 parking spaces on the land side end of the seafront would be removed along with five loading bays and three bus stops. On the seafront side, eight parking spaces would be taken out and five disabled bays.

The plan is to go before East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport Claire Dowling on Monday (August 17) and officers are recommending the cycle path should go ahead.

The council says consultation will take place as part of the scheme development, which is being supported by Eastbourne council and the Chamber of Commerce.

A spokesperson said, “We have had significant correspondence from residents who are supportive of seeing a cycle route along seafront.

“It has been a long-standing aspiration for Eastbourne council and stakeholders. We have engaged early with hoteliers to understand their issues, one of which is the loss of parking which can be mitigated by Eastbourne Borough Council allocating parking for hotel residents in the various off-street car parks along the seafront.

“This will be subject to local consultation with stakeholders and businesses and residents along the proposed alignment.”

The project will be paid for and is part of an Emergency Active Travel Fund for local authorities to restart local transport as part of the Government’s Covid-19 recovery roadmap.

It is aimed at encouraging people to walk and cycle more.

Other aspects of the project have been scrapped including plans to pedestrianise Bolton Road and Langney Road

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