Local campaigns

Cycle Lewes!

Local campaigns page

Lewes/Rodmell/Newhaven road - the C7

16 March 2004

Route 90

When complete Regional Cycle Route 90 will extend from Brighton, via Lewes, to join with National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 2 near Berwick (in East Sussex).

At present a route exists from Brighton to the western edge of Lewes. However, it is not signed through the City of Brighton and Hove nor through the county town of Lewes. A route through Lewes was agreed in 2002 between Cycle Lewes! and East Sussex County Council (ESCC). But the council said it was reluctant to sign the route until it has completed a missing link on the eastern side of Lewes - the section from South street to Southerham. Part of the South street to Southerham link has now been completed, but it is still not designated as a cycle route. In March 2004 ESCC said it now wanted a different route through Lewes - this is still being sorted out.

Route 90 already exists between Southerham and Ranscombe lane (i.e. alongside the A27) - thanks to the Highways Agency. The route is then along Ranscombe lane to Glynde (currently not signed), turning right at the junction to cross Glynde Reach (the waterway) and the railway line and then left into Trevor gardens (opposite the Trevor Arms) where it rejoins the A27 at the western end of the Firle Straight. There cyclists join the new signed cycle track beside the A27 (again thanks to the Highways Agency) and from there they have access to the lanes towards Ripe and Berwick and NCN Route 2.

Issues on Route 90 between Lewes and Brighton

Ashcombe Roundabout
The lamp post in the cycle track at the roundabout. The HA is studying improvements for the roundabout to include provision for pedestrians and will move the lamp post as part of a bigger project.

Entrance/Exit to Ashcombe Farm
At present there is a short section of advisory cycle path in the motor vehicle acceleration lane. The HA plan to remove the acceleration lane and make it into a shared use cycle/pedestrian path

Flap Sign Straddling Cycle Track Just West of Ashcombe Farm Exit
The HA agreed to remove the sign

Section of Land Between UoS and Stanmer Park Lodges
The problem of overgrown undergrowth between Route 90 and the trunk road near to the entrance to Stanmer Park. There have several incidents at this location and it has been raised by UoS BUG participants many times. In fact some cyclists have stopped cycling to/from the university because they consider it too dark and dangerous at this point. There has been dispute as to whom is responsible for this section - Brighton & Hove City Council or the Highways Agency - this remains unresolved.

9 June 2002

Lewes/Rodmell/Newhaven road - the C7

Crashes occur on this minor road far too often. There is too much traffic on this small country lane and it travels too fast. Cycle Lewes! believes that the C7 should be designated as a 'quiet lane'.

The 'quiet lanes' initiative is a campaign by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) to establish a network of tranquil lanes in the English countryside.

CPRE says: “Quiet lanes will widen transport choice by reclaiming minor roads for local journeys without a car, and for recreation. While cars will not be banned, lower speed limits and discrete road signs will help to promote a more tranquil rural environment.” CPRE is encouraging local authorities to designate quiet lanes using powers in the Transport Act, 2000.

How to help:
In East Sussex: Write to, or email Matthew Lock, Lead Councillor Transport & Environment,
County Hall, Lewes, East Sussex. Email: cllr.matthew.lock@eastsussexcc.gov.uk

Elsewhere, write to the head of transport at your county council or rural unitary authority asking for a quiet lanes initiative to be included in the Local Transport Plan. Suggest some possible lanes to benefit and point out the routes which could be set up. Write to your local county or unitary councillors, asking them to support the quiet lanes initiative. Encourage others to get involved. Contact your local paper and the Parish Council.

CPRE, 25 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PP. Tel: 020 7976 6433
Email: info@cpre.org.uk Website: www.cpre.org.uk

23 April 2002

Lewes - Ringmer Cycle Route

Cycle Lewes! is being consulted about a proposed cycle route between Church Lane, Lewes and Gote Lane, Ringmer. East Sussex County Council has engaged consultants Owen Williams to design the new cycle track and the Council had hoped construction would take place by the summer of 2003, but negotiations over purchase of land are still taking place.

Various routes are being considered - the three main options are:

1. Starting from Church Lane, Lewes crossing the A26 at the present pelican lights and then alongside the road on the inside of the present roadside parking bays and up on to the grass area to Earwig Corner. From Earwig Corner the track would be built beside the southern side of the carriageway (the B2192) mainly in the fields. At Ringmer the track will turn into New Road, still beside the carriageway and then to Gote Lane where it will finish.

2. To use the Mill Road route up to the turning area and then drop down to the B2192 (where there is a metal gate) and then as option 1 (This is the option I prefer).

3. To use the Mill Road route up to the turning area and then follow the footpath through the nature reserve rejoining option 1 at the unofficial car park near the nature reserve.

Cycle Lewes! believes cycling to be predominately an on-road activity, but we support the County Council’s scheme as it will provide ‘safer routes to school’. However, we have pointed out some potential problem/danger areas with option 1.

Car doors opening onto the cycle track where the track is on the inside of car parking bays/bus stop;
The turn in the cycle track at Earwig Corner is too sharp;
Cyclists heading east on the B2192 will be facing and very close to oncoming traffic; a continuous crash barrier is needed while the track is adjacent to the carriageway. (TG)

Update 16 March 2004 - This whole project has ground to a halt because .........

18 August 2004

Bikes on trains

This page is mainly concerned with our local issue regarding
the carriage of 'bikes' on Southern (previously called South Central) Trains.

The bullet points briefly describe relevant items regarding the carriage of bikes on trains.

2004 South Central changes it name to Southern Trains
06 October 2003 - South Central trains adds an additional sentence regarding cycle carriage to the winter timetable booklets: "Bicycle restrictions will apply during the above evening peak times, please see page 6 for details." And page 6 states: "Bikes go free where they can be accommodated safely and subject to space being available. Reservations for bicycles are not required and folding bicycles are carried without restriction. There are also no restrictions at weekends or Bank Holidays. Restrictions however do apply to peak trains traveling towards London and Brighton which are timed to arrive between 07.00 and 10.00 and in the evening to trains timed depart London or Brighton between 16.00 and 19.00. The law requires us to give priority to wheelchairs and in this instance cyclists will be asked to move to another part of the train. For sliding door trains bicycles should, where available, be carried in the space provided and for slam door trains, in the guards van."
April 2003 - South Central's new Managing Director is Charles Horton, having been a director of Connex South East for the last 3 years. Previous boss, David Franks has moved to a top job with National Express Group based in Derby.