Wheels turning on new cycle route

Those behind the £780,000 project are due to meet on Friday, January 21 to discuss details on its design and creation.

The scheme was one of 79 nationwide to win a share of £50 million of Big Lottery Funding in a Living Landmarks competition staged in December 2007.

Last September the 1.24 mile (two-kilometre) “missing link” on Route Two of the National Cycling Network gained planning permission, and it is hoped to have it operating by August this year. It will run eastwards from Glyne Gap along the back of Bulverhythe Beach to St Leonards.

Aside from the £380,000 provided by the Lottery, costs are being shared by East Sussex County Council and Sustrans.

Ian Hollidge, of the Bexhill Wheelers cycling group, said: “At last things are moving.

“Signs and a code of conduct will be displayed to encourage all path users to act considerately towards one another and the environment.

“A portrait bench which has an identifiable local character will also be installed as a feature, although the person has yet to be decided.”

Suggestions have included the locally-born “Grey Owl”, Archibald Belaney; the inventor of television, John Logie Baird; the captain of the Dutch East Indiaman Amsterdam which ran aground at Bulverhythe in 1749, Willem Klump, and the comedian Spike Milligan, stationed in Bexhill during the war.

Mr Hollidge, of College Road, said comments from local people or offers of help would be welcome, either by calling him on 07708 394410 or via the group’s website by logging onto: www.bexhillwheelers.org.uk