New cycle path opened through South Downs National Park
A new off-road cycle path and bridleway through the South Downs National Park was officially opened by Environment and Science Minister, Lord De Mauley, on Wednesday 29th January.
The 2.5km route, adjacent to the busy and fast Falmer Road, provides a safe and easy off-road route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
It links Woodingdean with the village of Falmer and provides further access to the Amex Community Stadium, two universities and Falmer railway station.
It also joins up with cycle routes along the A27 and Lewes Road, with offers easy access to Stanmer Park and the wider Downs.
The path itself is entirely within the National Park with the southern end being in Brighton & Hove and the northern end in East Sussex County Council’s area.
The project, which has costed £190,000, was led by Brighton & Hove City Council in close partnership with the National Park Authority and East Sussex County Council.
Funding as follows:
Department for Transport: £75k from a joint bid submitted by all three parties to DfT as part of the Two National Parks Local Sustainable Transport Fund, set up to benefit the Downs and New Forest
Brighton & Hove City Council: £75k from developers’ contributions and transport budgets
East Sussex County Council: £30k
South Downs National Park Authority: £10k
The route is surfaced with pale crushed limestone, rather than tarmac, to blend better with the landscape.
Chair of Brighton & Hove’s environment committee and member of the National Park Authority, Cllr Pete West, said: “It’s great to have this cycle link from the Woodingdean area to these key amenities and transport links around Falmer.
“Falmer Road has become a fast, busy and a rather worrying place for cyclists to use, so a surfaced off-road path makes the route viable for them once again.
“Early indications are that numbers cycling and walking the route are already up, even in winter, which is really encouraging.”
ESCC plans to adopt and maintain the route, which will be formally designated as a bridleway which cyclists can use unless restrictions are specified.
By Ceirney Eddie
