CYCLING IN ROTHER ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES

This report provides an overview of the current situation regarding cycling in , to identify problems as well as opportunities which might be addressed in the forthcoming Rother Cycling & Walking Strategy being prepared by County Council (ESCC). The report is intended to inform the work being done by the Rother Cycling Working Group chaired by Rother Voluntary Action and also to feed into local strategies including the Rye and Battle Neighbourhood Plans. Funded by the Rother Environmental Group from the Rye Transport Action Group (RTAG) fund. Prepared by Nick Hanna and Sue Burton October 2013

Cycling in Rother – October 2013

Table of Contents

1. Overview...... 4 1.1. Goals...... 4 1.2. Types of cycling environment: where can cyclists go...... 4 1.3. Bridleways and Byways...... 5 1.4. National cycle route ...... 5 1.5. Types of cyclists: who are they ...... 5

2. Issues around cycling in Rother: what makes cycling difficult...... 6

3. What are the opportunities for cycling in Rother ...... 7

4. The National Cycle Route (NCN2)...... 7 4.1. Fairlight (and Country Park) ...... 7 4.2. The transit of Rye ...... 7

5. Cycling Provision in the Rother Towns...... 8 5.1. Battle ...... 8 5.2. Bexhill ...... 9 5.3. Rye...... 9

6. Proposed Cycle Schemes in Rother ...... 10 6.1. Battle Schools Greenway...... 10 6.2. to Bodiam route...... 10 6.3. Rye Greenway ...... 10 6.4. , Iden, and Rye Network ...... 11 6.5. Hythe-Rye Multi-use Path ...... 11

7. A21 Cycle Facility Improvement Study ...... 11

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8. Rother Rural Routes ...... 11

9. Off-road activities...... 12 9.1. Multi-activity off-road centres...... 12 9.2. Battle Great Wood...... 12 9.3. Other smaller wooded locations ...... 12 9.4. Bridleways ...... 13

10. Other initiatives to increase numbers of cyclists ...... 13 10.1. Welcome Walkers and Cyclists ...... 13 10.2. Mapping...... 14 10.3. Funding...... 14

11. Developing Rye Bay and environs as a Cycle hub...... 14 11.1. Encompassing Camber, , Iden, and Winchelsea Beach14 11.3. The Battle and Brede Landscape Partnership Scheme...... 16

12. Conclusions...... 16

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1. Overview The variety of benefits created by cycling are considerable and range across issues including personal health, the environment and the economy. Cycling is an efficient, cheap, fun and environmentally friendly way to travel. Cycling is an excellent form of exercise: people who regularly cycle are fitter, healthier and less prone to medical problems. Cycling can also help to create new job opportunities, especially within tourism and leisure, where demand for cycling holidays and day trips increases, so does the demand for tourism and leisure facilities and services. 1.1. Goals 1.1.1. Make cycling safer. 1.1.2. Increase the number of local journeys made by bike. 1.1.3. Support the local economy by developing a market for cycling holidays and sustainable tourism.

1.2. Types of cycling environment: where can cyclists go 1.2.1. Main “A” Roads These are designed for fast-moving traffic. “A” roads are not cycle-friendly unless they have a cycleway separated from the main highway by some sort of physical barrier. This could also be in the form of a shared-use path (with pedestrians). There are virtually no cycleways of this nature within Rother to our knowledge (although see following Section 7. A21 Cycle Facility Improvement Study). 1.2.2. Secondary “B” Roads “B” roads and lesser designations such as country lanes are usually only suitable for experienced cyclists, due to the fast nature of much traffic. Many country lanes are narrow and require high levels of confidence even for adults, with speed limits which are often 40 mph but can be as high as 60 mph, the national default limit. As Rother is within the densely populated south-east of , roads tend to be busy whether they are “A”, “B” or rural. 1.2.3. Traffic-free cycle routes Bexhill and Hastings seafront promenades are excellent locations for families with young children to start to acquire cycling skills. The smooth surface is highly suitable for bikes with stabilisers and the flat scenic nature of the route also makes it an appealing location. There are other short sections of traffic-free routes in the Rother area including to Rye; Galley Hill to Glyne Gap; and Rye to Camber. From West Marina, St Leonard’s to Glyne Gap the recently completed seafront link between Hastings and Bexhill, funded under Sustrans’ Connect 2 programme, has proved enormously popular. The surfaces of these routes vary, some level and tarmaced and others rough surfaced. Shared-use paths i.e. widened footways where cycling is permitted provide excellent facilities particularly in the approach to schools and where there are places of employment which are situated on busy roads. In Rother, there are only 2 examples of shared use paths, one in Bexhill and the other at Rye Harbour.

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1.3. Bridleways and Byways There are public bridleways, mainly unsurfaced, spread over Rother. They are maintained by ESCC’s Rights of Way team and are signed by the standard markers. They are often unusable in times of wet weather. They generally lack continuity and it requires considerable map-reading preparation to locate and follow them. At present, they hold limited appeal apart from use by local mountain bikers. Where they are surfaced, for example between Netherfield Hill in Battle & the A271 and the bridleway from Battle Abbey to , there is virtual all year round usage. Byways can be used by cyclists and vary in their surface. They are often farm tracks. 1.4. National cycle route The National Cycle Network - Route 2 (NCN2) runs along the coast through Rother from Norman’s Bay to Glyne Gap, through Hastings to Fairlight and on to Jury’s Gap (east of Camber). This route forms part of a signed nationwide network which is a mixture of scenic traffic- free paths, quiet roads & lanes and signed on-road routes, but always on a surfaced path. The NCN2 in Rother follows this same pattern with a mixture of off-road and on-road sections. The enormous popularity of the link (which may soon be re-named) shows what can be achieved in terms of delivering cycle infrastructure and dramatically improving the number of people cycling. 1.5. Types of cyclists: who are they There is a big variety of cyclists which means that different routes and surfaces suit different people. A person does not always have the same needs. For example, the same person could commute to work at the local school and therefore wants a quick direct route but at the week-end wants to cycle with their young family on an off-road route. 1.5.1. Beginner and family riders The opportunities for families with young children are quite limited. There is the Bexhill Seafront and some stretches of tarmaced, traffic-free road at Winchelsea Beach. Some stretches of the NCN2 between Rye and Camber are quite rough for small-wheeled bikes, with poorly-maintained surfaces. Children are encouraged to learn to ride. Bikeability instructors (both independent and ESCC) use school playgrounds and side streets to conduct training sessions. However, skills and confidence gained through this scheme can quickly wane if not reinforced through regular, independent cycling afterwards. Parks are generally tolerant of small children learning to ride, but not necessarily of family groups.

1.5.2. Schoolchildren (secondary and up); what policies are in place to encourage and facilitate cycling to school? There is a need to build a critical mass of cyclists, otherwise peer pressures may deter individual children who are enthusiastic. 1.5.3. Utility cyclists: utility cycling generally involves travelling short and medium distances, often in an urban environment. It includes commuting (i.e. going to work or school), going shopping and running errands, as well as heading out to see friends and family or for other social activities. The majority of utility cycling within Rother takes place in towns (e.g. Bexhill, Rye and Battle); there is some utility cycling in the villages but it is quite low.

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1.5.4. Leisure cycling covers several categories: 1.5.4.1. Club cyclists: These cyclists often tend to use high-end racing bikes and therefore prefer roads with good surfaces rather than off-road cycle routes. They usually take long rides at the weekends, sometimes in groups. 1.5.4.2. Touring cyclists: By this we mean cyclists who are travelling through the area as part of a cycling holiday, during which they will often carry their entire luggage with them on the bike. (Independent Cycling Companies do not currently feature Rother as a holiday destination.) These cyclists are likely to be mostly using the NCN2 coastal route. They may originate from the UK, but this important category also includes European cyclists who are coming from the Channel ports and via Eurotunnel). 1.5.4.3. Holiday cyclists: By this we mean visitors who are staying in the area and taking frequent cycle rides from their holiday base, either using their own bikes or hiring bikes locally. They would tend to enjoy circular routes of one day or a half days’ duration. They may have arrived by public transport, but more likely by car with their bikes on board. 1.5.4.4. 'Returning cyclists' - people wishing to take up cycling again as they enter retirement, in order to maintain fitness and enjoy the outdoors; but who are likely to prefer safe, gentler routes. 1.5.4.5. Mountain bikers: These tend to be local cyclists who use bridleways and byways as part of a planned, off-road expedition. Due to the limited opportunities these riders usually head out of the area to Kent to Bedgebury and PORC (Penshurst Off Road Centre) in Kent. A few go to National Park but with the lack of circular routes this is not very practical. 1.5.4.6. BMX/Dirt jumping/pump track riders: These are all sports practised off-road in dedicated areas. They are hugely popular where there are facilities for example Hastings Skate Park, Rye skate park, Sidley BMX track. They are mostly used by young people and riders of all level.

2. Issues around cycling in Rother: what makes cycling difficult • Lack of provision to progress from traffic free routes to beginner routes to school, work and for leisure activities • Lack of places for safe family cycle rides • Insufficient cycle parking • Difficulties transporting cycles on trains. Overcoming these would open up access to rides further afield, e.g. NCN2 west of Bexhill. • Inadequate maintenance of existing off-road routes (e.g. NCN2, bridleways that link locations). • Gaps in adequate provision of long-distance route e.g. NCN2 • Lack of integrated mapping (e.g. with train services) to enable cyclists to plan trips • Lack of shared-use paths in the vicinity of schools

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• Only one BMX track which is in need to repair • No dirt jumps or ‘pump tracks’ (an undulating course) for fun and cycle skills training • Lack of signage for rural and other routes • Undulating terrain outside the coastal towns of Bexhill and Rye - a deterrent for less fit and confident • Fear of traffic and fast cars

3. What are the opportunities for cycling in Rother Promoting cycling means encouraging recreational activity as a special way of exploring and experiencing the countryside and heritage without depending on a car. Rother has attractive beaches and coastline, numerous pretty villages, historical towns and beautiful countryside. With the demand for cycling holidays increasing rapidly, both domestically and from overseas, any strategy needs to support the continued improvement and development of the infrastructure for cycling. There should also be a co-ordinated marketing plan to maximise the potential of cycle tourism. This should include consideration of holiday packaging and encouraging cycle hire.

4. The National Cycle Route (NCN2) The main issues concerning NCN2 in Rother are: 4.1. Fairlight (and Hastings Country Park) Sustrans is currently working with Hastings Borough Council and ESCC to improve the route through the Country Park. We would strongly recommend that RDC/ESCC follows this through with proposals for further improvement down to Fairlight and Winchelsea Beach. At present the route runs along Fairlight Hill and Battery Road which is both steep and busy with traffic. 4.2. The transit of Rye

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As can be seen from the map, NCN2 takes a complicated route through Rye. There are issues with the lack of segregated cycle lanes, the hazardous crossing of the Monkbretton Bridge, and the fact that the route is very circuitous and also cyclists are required to negotiate a series of steps in the current alignment. In reality, many cyclists do not follow NCN2 through Rye as it is currently signposted for these reasons. The problems with the NCN2 route through Rye have been previously identified in ESCC’s Rye Local Area Transport Strategy, April 2003. This study noted: • The NCN Route through Rye is ‘in places unsuitable for bicycles’ • Visibility and safety concerns for cyclists within the Strategy area • NCN2 is in part routed along the A259. We would recommend the development of an alternative route through Rye for the NCN2 which would mostly follow the dotted green lines on the map above, except that it would cross the at the lock and join up with the existing shared use track alongside Harbour Road. David Young from Sustrans has stated: “Not withstanding this, there have been welcome improvements along Harbour Road, the big challenge is linking this infrastructure in and out of Rye to NCN2. I think we are agreed we need to bridge the Brede and a suitable location needs to be identified and agreed as a future aspiration by ESCC. Land owners also need to be identified.” (September 2013). See also below under Rye for further details. 5. Cycling Provision in the Rother Towns 5.1. Battle

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Currently there are no cycle lanes (non-segregated) or cycle routes (segregated) in the town. In 2009 1066 Cycle Club undertook a survey to identify potential cycle network for Battle. ESCC and Rother District Council are aware of these plans. 1066 Cycle Club is currently updating this document with the intention of the network being included in Battle's Neighbourhood Plan. There is some cycle parking in the town but it is not always in the most frequented places. The club has worked with Battle Town Council to install parking at the recreation field and some improved signage. Currently, the club is working on an installation at Market Square and improving the facilities at the station. 5.2. Bexhill As a result of the successful year's trial the promenade is a route designated for cyclists with pedestrian priority. The change in the Bye law in 2013 allowed for this change to status. RDC are working on plans to improve connectivity between the sea front and the town centre via the De La Warr pavilion. This is a £57,000 investment which will include new cycle stands. ESCC have committed to working on the Bexhill Cycle Strategy in the next financial year. A map of potential cycle routes in Bexhill is available. The Bexhill Town Team has said they will fund cycle stands in Town Centre at key locations. All that is now needed is to list exact points with signage showing the distances from surrounding features. 5.3. Rye Many of Rye’s roads form part of a one-way system. It has no dedicated cycle routes except those associated with the National Cycle Route (NCN2) which passes through the town. Although Rye is surrounded by hills to the north, gradients within town area are not particularly steep or long and there is considerable potential for increasing the number of urban cycle journeys. The town currently suffers from traffic congestion (particularly in the summer months) and increasing the number of cycle journeys would help reduce this traffic. One study involved a traffic monitoring exercise which counted cyclists in the town noted ‘The numbers are quite significant and with some suitable measures there is the potential to increase cycling’. There is a lack of secure cycle parking which was noted in the Rye Local Area Transport Strategy 2003. Also noted in this Strategy were visibility and safety concerns for cyclists. Apart from the NCN2 (see above), another major concern is over the existing cycle route along Rye Harbour Road. A shared pedestrian and cycle route has been installed on part of the Harbour Road which runs from the A259 Winchelsea Road to the village of Rye Harbour. This route is incomplete and has been the subject of complaints due to poorly parked cars on the beginning section, creating a considerable hazard for cyclists. There has been one cyclist death on this route. Numerous promises to deal with this issue have been made by local politicians, but so far with no result.

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6. Proposed Cycle Schemes in Rother 6.1. Battle Schools Greenway A proposed off-road 1.5 kilometre route to the south of the High Street and North Trade road links three schools and many town facilities. Support for the scheme was received from ESCC, RDC, Battle Town Council and other organisations. There have been mixed reactions to the proposal. Many are in favour. Others are concerned about the changes that will take place to their immediate environment. The route proposal has now been divided into segments so that options for can be considered. 6.2. Robertsbridge to Bodiam route This relatively short route has been an aspiration for many years amongst local cyclists and campaigners. It also has the support of the Robertsbridge Enterprise Group, the National Trust and numerous Robertsbridge and Bodiam councillors. It is a short route (approx. 5 kilometre) between a mainline railway station and a major tourist attraction. It is mostly flat and there is an existing bridge crossing of the A21 within Robertsbridge village. It would link two attractive village locations, with a side spur to (which has a busy pub). There is also a campsite within a short distance from this route. Part of it is already a bridleway. Outstanding issues: 6.2.1. Crossing the busy B2244 (Junction Road) – although this may improve if the Robertsbridge-Bodiam railway eventually crosses this road. 6.2.2. The Environment Agency will not allow the cycle track to run alongside the river to the east of the B2244; therefore it has to go on the other side of the embankment. Landowner permission has not been forthcoming. 6.2.3. Another alternative might be for it to run alongside the extended Robertsbridge-Bodiam railway. However, there does not seem to be any planning to take this into account. 6.3. Rye Greenway The Rye Greenway plan envisages a 1.5 kilometre route running from Valley Park at its western end, through the Tilling Green estate and then connecting to sports and educational facilities on the other side of the River Tillingham by means of a new bridge. If the proposed supermarket ever comes to fruition, then this would also link into the greenway. The proposal has been met with an enthusiastic response from community leaders, resident and community groups, the sports centre and both the schools involved. Outstanding issues: 6.3.1. The cost of the main bridge and smaller subsidiary bridge. An estimate has been made by ESCC of £200-250,000 for the main bridge and £25,000 for the small bridge. Sustrans, who have considerable experience of building bridges, claim that these are on the high side. The next step would be to get an estimate from a commercial contractor. 6.3.2. Planning permission: we would urge Rye Town Council and RDC to move forward on getting planning permission for the two bridges.

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6.3.3. The supermarket issue. After intervention by Amber Rudd MP in October 2013, this issue may be nearer to a resolution. If so, now is the time to move forward on this proposal to take advantage of any opportunities which arise. It should be noted that as well as the statutory contribution to build a cycleway alongside the supermarket car park, there is also the opportunity for Section 106 funding towards other parts of the Rye Greenway. Competition for this pot of money amongst community groups is likely to be intense: we would hope that RDC and ESCC would recognise the benefit of investing in strategic cycling infrastructure. 6.4. Peasmarsh, Iden, Playden and Rye Network The Rother Environmental Group and the Sussex Community Foundation sponsored the ‘North of Rye Cycle Routes Study’ (November 2012). Conclusions of the study were to: 6.4.1. Create a network of ‘Quiet Lanes’ linking villages together. 6.4.2. Link these into the new Hythe-Rye multi-use path. 6.4.3. Create a cycle route alongside the A268 in Playden, linking residential areas to St Michael’s Primary School in Houghton Green Lane, Playden. 6.4.4. Improve the High Landscape Trail between Rye-Peasmarsh. 6.4.5. Improve connections with the new Rye Greenway. 6.4.6. Create cycle lanes along Military Rd into Rye. 6.5. Hythe-Rye Multi-use Path Sustrans is currently proposing a route between Hythe and Rye for possible funding by Kent County Council and Shepway District Council. This route would follow the Royal Military Canal for around 20 miles from Hythe to Rye, mostly following the northern and/or western bank along the Saxon Shore Way and Royal Military Canal Path. In the southern most stages towards Rye, the route follows the River Rother and then the Military Road.

7. A21 Cycle Facility Improvement Study Balfour Beatty & Mott MacDonald in consultation with 1066 Cycle Club are working on plans for a proposed scheme to direct cyclists using the A21 trunk onto alternative routes on the local authority network from Bewl Bridge Lane to Baldslow, Hastings. This is because of the high traffic volume and associated high speed nature of the A21 trunk road which increases the risk of pedal cyclist’s related collisions. The funding available at present is only for making the footway between to Hurst Green a shared footway/cycleway facility and will also install cycle direction signs at a number of junctions along the A21 to direct cyclists off the trunk road. If all goes well, the construction should be completed by the end of March 2014. If new signing is involved, RDC/ESCC could co-ordinate this from a design perspective with our proposal for Rother Rural Routes (below).

8. Rother Rural Routes

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We believe there is potential for increasing both leisure and utility cycling within Rother by developing a ‘branded’ network of signposted routes. This network would mainly utilise quiet rural roads. The initial focus could be simply to erect signposts with mileages between villages.

Village pairs which most obviously present themselves for this purpose could include:

Brede- - Stonegate Hurst Green- Stonegate

Bodiam- - Stonegate - Winchelsea

Staplecross- Bodiam Robertsbridge- Beckley- Broad Oak

Westfield- Sedlescombe Burwash- Brightling Peasmarsh-Iden

9. Off-road activities 9.1. Multi-activity off-road centres Bedgebury Forest in Kent is an excellent example of a forest area which has been developed with the aim of encouraging several different types of cycling activity, including traffic-free routes for families and dedicated areas for BMX, mountain-biking and other more sporting forms of cycling. Bedgebury Forest’s 800 hectares boasts 15 km of dedicated single track as well as over 10 km of family trails. It is probably already near or over-capacity. We would like to see something similar developed in Rother – clearly there is enormous demand. As well as providing opportunities for families with small children to cycle in a safe environment and learn cycling skills, the ‘activity zones’ provide somewhere for teenagers and young people to hang out and acquire bike skills, providing them with something to do with their spare time – a fact which is usually appreciated by the local community. 9.2. Battle Great Wood Battle Great Wood, for example, has contrasting gradients and would be a perfect location for a cross county track. Another alternative would be a pump-track: the concept for a pump track is for learning and having fun, to teach bike skills in cornering and pumping. These are made up of a series of rollers, jumps and corners that create multiple riding lines and learning possibilities. The dirt jumps could be another great asset to the location. 9.3. Other Locations

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Other small wooded areas could be developed in this way. Beckley Woods, for example, could be suitable for smaller ‘activity zones’ where ‘pump tracks’ or dirt tracks could be created. However, care needs to be taken that such a facility is not located in ancient woodland where there could be damage to this rare habitat. Most of Bixley Woods and Battle Great Woods are designated as ancient woodland. If they are replanted sites (i.e. plantation pines) this is less of a problem but the impacts to biodiversity needs to be part of the site selection criteria. 9.4. Bridleways We have looked in some detail at the potential of utilizing existing bridleways for cycle routes. In general, we found that the obstacles involved mitigated against their exploitation as leisure or utility routes for normal cyclists. These obstacles include rough terrain, steep inclines, field gates and the presence of livestock. There are some exceptions: for instance, one route outside Battle (between Netherfield Hill in Battle and the A271) which is regularly used by cyclists. Another pleasant route is a byway which is the beginning of a route from St Leonards to Bexhill. This route is only known to the careful route planner and not easily accessible to non-local cyclists. Where bridleways are surfaced, for example the track mentioned above from Netherfield Hill, as well as the bridleway from Battle Abbey to Catsfield, there is virtual all year round usage. Some off-road bridleways are already promoted via publications such as Rye Rides and we think this could be exploited to cater for more adventurous cyclists and mountain bikers by developing more of these routes. Camber, for instance, has a number of bridleways which would make level rides with beautiful views. These and similar rides in the locality could be part of a wider offering with Rye as a major cycle ‘hub’. The work required on these routes would be: • Better signage • Adding side gates with easy openers alongside existing field gates • Removing illegal obstructions (such as those found on Camber bridleways) • Promotion

10. Other initiatives to increase numbers of cyclists 10.1. Welcome Walkers and Cyclists VisitBritain used to operate a charter mark scheme which was aimed at the hospitality industry (East Sussex/Hastings may have once participated). Training courses aimed at accommodation and other tourism businesses in the vicinity of popular cycle trails and footpaths aim to: • Identify the needs and expectations of different kinds of walkers and cyclists • Identify and capitalise on local opportunities for walking and cycling • Market businesses effectively to appeal to walkers and cyclists • Develop products and services to meet the requirements of walkers and cyclists • Meet the criteria of the VisitBritain charter mark schemes

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We suggest this would be highly suitable to bring to Rye in particular. Funding could be part of a larger bid to encourage cycle tourism. 10.2. Mapping There is a distinct lack of maps available for potential cycling visitors and residents. For instance, ESCC’s Cycling East Sussex maps are now only available as print-outs at the Tourist Information Centre, Rye and none at the tourist information points. More routes could be developed to give visitors ideas and guidance as to where to go and what to see. Funding for map printing and distribution could be part of a larger bid to encourage cycle tourism. 11. Funding Recent funding for cycle infrastructure in East Sussex has included: 11.1.1. ESCC secured a total of £3.7m of funding from the DfT Local Sustainable Transport Fund for their ‘Travel Choices for ’ bid (£1.57m) and ‘East Sussex Coastal Towns – Better Travel to Work and Education’ (£2.2m), which focuses on measures in Newhaven and . 11.1.2. ESCC have provided an update (Sept 2013) on current cycle schemes on which they are working, which include improvements in Seaford, Hailsham, Eastbourne, and Lewes/Ringmer. 11.1.3. Another major achievement has been the completion of the Lewes/Kingston cycle route, funded by DfT ‘Links to Communities’ funding. 11.1.4. Elsewhere in East Sussex: Egret’s Way - a major new riverside recreational route between Lewes, Southease and Newhaven funded by the South Downs National Park. In total SDNP has been awarded £11 million which includes access to the park. The absence of any funding for infrastructure projects in Rother is notable. Even Bexhill, which is a flat, urban area with potential to increase utility cycling, was not included in the LSTF bid.

12. Developing Rye Bay and environs as a Cycle hub 12.1. Encompassing Camber, Rye Harbour, Iden, Winchelsea and Winchelsea Beach The surrounding countryside and coast of Rye Bay has a network of footpaths and cycle paths allowing easy access – altogether there are 400 kilometres of footpaths and bridleways in the Rye Bay area. The off-road cycle path from Rye to Camber Sands (part of NCN2) is popular with families, offering a safe cycle route to the beach. “Tourism is a very important part of the Rye economy and the town also acts a hub for rural tourism in the surrounding hinterland. Cycle tourism is also popular, with many touring cyclists passing through Rye on the NCN2” (abbreviated from the Rye Cycle Study 2011). From the flat coastal plains of Rye Bay to the rolling hills and orchards of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this corner of East Sussex has enormous appeal as a cycling destination. Its catchment area for marketing purposes is national and international, with easy access from London and Europe.

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We would like to see the development of an overall strategy for Rye which could include: • Funding the Rye Greenway • Developing an alternative cycle route around the back of the town • Linking into the Rye-Hythe route • Provision of cycle parking • Develop a ‘Welcome Cyclists & Walkers’ programme • Develop ‘Quiet Lanes’ around Iden and link in to the potential Rye-Hythe route • Sort out the problem on Rye Harbour Road • Clarify cycle access to • Improve off-road mountain bike routes • Create a shared cycle/footway between Rye and Winchelsea along the A259 • Develop a mapping and marketing programme • Bring the ‘Electric Bike’ programme to Rye & Environs • Investigate the potential for a shuttle bus service (using a hybrid or electric mini-bus) between Rye, Camber, and Rye Harbour, and/or Winchelsea and Winchelsea Beach. “If improvements can be achieved in Rye, then a Rye - Rye Harbour - Winchelsea Beach - Winchelsea - Rye circular route, mostly traffic free can be joined up and promoted” (Sustrans September 2013). This would be an enormous asset to Rother – think of the popularity of the Cuckoo Trail in East Sussex but with added historical and landscape features.

12.2. Funding opportunities 12.2.1. The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) The CCF will encourage the economic development of UK coastal communities by giving them funding to create sustainable economic growth and jobs. • £22 million will be available in Year Three, which runs from April 2014 to March 2015 • Note that match funding is not required, and also that capital and revenue costs can be included • Needs to be delivered within two years A couple of examples which include cycling: Torbay Economic Development Company: This two year project, delivered throughout Torbay, will stimulate the development of social enterprise, support start up and home based businesses, develop an Asset Based Community Development programme and create a major new green tourism infrastructure. Key activities for this project include the creation of ‘work hubs’, a new cycling network linking Torbay's key physical and environmental assets, and supporting small employers through contributing to apprentice costs and providing training. £1.4m

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Regenerating Plymouth’s Waterfront aims to re-enliven and re-focus activity on the waterfront by linking up waterfront areas through new transport options. The project will provide cycle hire hubs and cycle route improvements and will contribute to delivery of the city’s Visitor Plan. £670,000 12.2.2. Coastal Communities Fund – eligibility criteria • Training and skills development, linked directly to the employment opportunities identified in the programme outcome, to enable local people to secure jobs in local industry growth sectors. • Economic diversification to create jobs in knowledge economy and high value sectors including marine and maritime, creative arts, offshore energy, fishing and aquaculture. • Support for small and medium enterprises through modern business premises, improvements to infrastructure and targeted incubation support. • Addressing seasonality by creating new patterns of demand for tourism; establishing unique selling points and distinctive market niches across a greater proportion of the year (festivals and events; marketing campaigns; ‘destination’ infrastructure). • Improvements to public places to increase the number of visitors, creating indirect employment opportunities, and retain and attract people seeking a positive work/life balance in order to address the demographic imbalance in many coastal communities. 12.3. The Battle and Brede Landscape Partnership Scheme This is a large-scale partnership project focused on the eastern end of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It aims to use an integrated, catchment-focused approach to enhance the conservation of, and increase community access to, the diverse heritage assets of the Brede River Valley. Improving access to and within the Brede Valley is part of the remit of this bid, therefore cycling infrastructure is eligible for funding. A First Round application has recently been made to the Heritage Lottery Fund's Landscape Partnership Scheme programme. The application was submitted in May 2013, with a decision due by November 2013. If the bid is successful, there will be an 18 month Development Phase; to develop the Scheme in much greater detail. This will deliver an HLF Second Round submission in mid 2015, for a £2.3 million Delivery Phase receiving £1.6m of HLF support. Scheme delivery would run from 2016 to 2019. Note that the actual boundaries to this scheme are still somewhat flexible around the Rye/Rye Harbour area.

13. Conclusions • Rother is starting from a very low base in terms of existing cycle provision – so the only way is up! • Rother has been neglected in terms of funding to improve cycle infrastructure • Rother has enormous assets – principally its heritage, villages and countryside – which can be leveraged to encourage cycle tourism

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• The Battle area has scope for the development of an off-road cycle centre similar to Bedgebury, as well as smaller off-road cycle skills centres to be developed in local areas • The Rye Bay area has huge potential as a regional hub for cycle tourism, which would also serve to encourage utility cycling • Bexhill has considerable potential to increase utility cycling

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