In a survey carried out at the Green Waves Festival, residents gave a massive thumbs-up to the Tillingham Bridge Project, which will provide a new walking, wheeling and cycling route between housing areas (including Tilling Green, Valley Park and Udimore Road) and Rye’s schools, leisure centre and railway station.
For many, the existing route is too long, unsafe due to the proximity of traffic, and suffers from poor pavements and surfaces. Of those surveyed, 62% said they would walk or cycle more, and 46% indicated they would reduce their car use.
Wheelchair users in particular cited easier access to Rye Leisure Centre, and parents with pushchairs said how much simpler it would be to get to the school. An easier walking and cycling route to the station is another bonus, as is better access to the countryside.
“Residents of Rye have been waiting for this bridge for a long time,” said Nick Hanna of Sussex Greenways. The group has raised £1,800 for vital topographical and ecology surveys so far. Now they need a further £5,000 to take the bridge forward for planning permission. “This is an exciting time for this project,” he said. “But we need your help – please contribute to our Crowdfunder if you can.”
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tillingham-bridge-project
Sign up at www.sussexgreenways.org for updates.
Image Credits: Chris McGrath , Sussex Greenways .
As a member of Sussex Greenways, I have an interest in seeing the project built, for the benefit of all users, but particularly parents and children getting to school. One mother told me she’d allow her son to cycle to school if he could do it safely.
Lastly, the article didn’t mention the sum of money handed to Rother by the Valley Park developers, to help see the route become a reality. I don’t know the sum, but it was many thousands, which Rother seems to have ‘mislaid’.
Time for them to contribute?