New bridge for Valley Park

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A new bridge (shown above) is in place linking homes in Valley Park, Rye, with Tilling Green and bus services into town from the bus stop in The Link. The bridge goes over a drainage ditch that runs between the former school site, Cooper Road and the Old Brickyard, which is very overgrown and neglected and part blocked by a tree blown down in winter storms. Developers Amicus Horizon told the town council earlier this year that one of the issues surrounding the redevelopment of the former school site is the risk of flooding and current drainage on the site.

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The view from the new bridge towards Valley Park

However the ditch which divides Tilling Green from Valley Park and goes round to the River Tillingham is properly maintained. The footpath from the new bridge up into Valley Park is also being concreted over as it is unlit and residents complain that it becomes a sea of mud after any rainfall. The ditch, known as the Pottingfield Petty Sewer, used to drain surface water off to Gibbet Marsh, but became blocked by building work in the Brickyard, and no-one takes responsibility for its upkeep.

Plans for a future cycle path around Rye, which the new bridge would be part of, include another bridge over the River Tillingham between the Rye Hill side of Tilling Green and the schools in Love Lane and The Grove.

Work has recently started on the last homes in the lower end of Valley Park, but may not be complete until next year, when the builders will move to the area at the top of the site near the Udimore Road. The current building works include a large block of flats (in the centre of the photograph, left) and more homes than were originally envisaged when the development first received planning permission.

 

Photos : Gavin Thomas

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