Cycle path in Big Lottery bid

East Sussex County Council is working with Hastings Borough and Rother District councils to develop proposals for the Bexhill to Hastings Cycle Link, which would form part of the National Cycle Network Route 2, running along the south coast of England.

It is one of about 130 contenders around the country to become part of the national Connect2 project being proposed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

'Connect2' is one of the projects being considered to compete for a single multi-million pound grant from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions competition. The winner will be decided by public TV vote in Winter 2007/08. Sustrans is working with partners around the UK to overcome long-standing barriers such as busy roads, railways or rivers that are dividing communities and making it difficult for people to travel by foot or bike as part of their everyday lives.

East Sussex County Council will find out if Sustrans has shortlisted the Bexhill to Hastings Cycle Link, which would also be used by pedestrians, as part of its bid at the end of April.

Councillor Matthew Lock and Bob Wilkins, Lead Member and Director (respectively) for Transport and Environment, met Sustrans Chief Executive John Grimshaw in Hastings to view the proposed route.

After the meeting, Cllr Lock said: "This cycle path would be a magnificent addition to the national network as it would be one of the few sections where you can ride so close to the sea but away from traffic. It would provide cyclists with an alternative to the busy A259, opening up car-free access to all sorts of recreational, shopping and leisure destinations along the way.

"We have worked hard with our partners to develop this scheme and we are keeping everything crossed that Sustrans will agree it is a great proposal and put it through as part of its bid to the Big Lottery."

To find out more about the scheme and register support, contact Sustrans, the charity behind Connect2, by visiting the website www.sustransconnect2.org.uk or calling the information line 08450 581 373. All pledges of support must be received by 23 April.