Bexhill footpath widening plans ‘set to be dropped’

The Rother Alliance, made up of Labour, Green, Independent and Lib Dem councillors from Rother District Council, said it was ‘extremely disappointed’ to learn that officers at East Sussex County Council (ESCC) are recommending plans to widen the paths on Western Road and Devonshire Road not be given the go-ahead.

The proposals will be discussed by the county council on Monday (August 17).

They are part of the East Sussex Active Travel for Recovery & Growth programme.

In May, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced a £250m Emergency Active Travel Fund for local authorities to restart local transport as part of the Government’s coronavirus (Covid-19) recovery roadmap.

The funding also forms part of a wider £2bn announced in February to support the Government’s aim to get more people cycling and walking.

The Rother Alliance said advice to cancel pavement widening by ESCC officers could mean Bexhill missing out on much-needed government grants to enhance the town centre.

It said it believes in maintaining as much social distancing as possible and added this will become more important as winter approaches, with the possibility of a resurgence in Covid-19 cases.

Cllr Polly Gray said: “These plans are a big step towards the achievement of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, as set out in our Environment Strategy.”

The Rother Alliance said it wanted to see Western Road made an ‘Access Only’ road and Devonshire Road become one-way.

Cllr Richard Thomas said: “Active travel is key to the anti-obesity campaign, while pollution has been shown to increase the chances of Covid complications.”

Cllr Christine Bayliss said: “It is disappointing to think that Bexhill might miss out on government funding. Making shoppers feel they can shop safely is key to the recovery.”

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce & Tourism said it has objected to the plans for the removal of parking spaces to widen the footway after consulting with more than 150 businesses.

It said parking was already in short supply as 80 spaces in Wainright Road car park have been removed for a testing station.

In a report, which will be discussed on Monday, ESCC officers said: “There has been a relaxation of social distancing guidance from 2m to 1m+, (with a) lower risk outside and the new rules about wearing face masks/coverings.

“This means that the widening of the footways originally proposed are not now so necessary, particularly bearing in mind the width of the existing pavements on Devonshire Road and the north side of Western Road. Signage to remind people about social distancing has already been received.”

However, county council officers are recommending a proposal to widen the footway under the bridge at Buckhurst Place be given the go-ahead, as the available footway is less than 1.5m wide on both sides of the road, and the proposed widening would increase the width by a metre on both sides.

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