Eastbourne groups call for local transport improvements this Christmas

Greenpeace Eastbourne and Bespoke Cycle Group volunteers presented councillor Jonathan Dow and councillor John Ungar with a giant Christmas card on December 20 that said ‘All I want for Christmas is more cycle paths for safe walking and cycling’ and ‘All I want for Christmas is a walking and cycling revolution for cleaner air’.

One of the volunteers Evie Sier, said, “Today Greenpeace volunteers and members of Bespoke Cycle Group decorated the start of the Horsey Sewer cycle path off Ringwood Road near Stafford School and presented a Christmas cards to two of our local councillors to let them know that for Christmas we want local transport improvements.

“It would be great if this cycle path was extended to provide safe cycling and walking directly into the town centre and on to the seafront, to connect up with other routes around town and with part of the route extending along the Horsey Sewer to end at Courtlands Road. We would also love some low traffic areas in the Eastbourne area.”

Greenpeace said earlier in the year the government committed £2 billion to new walking and cycling structures but in last month’s spending review £27 billion was given to new roads with no guarantee of more money for walking, cycling or greener local public transport.

Councillor Dow, lead council for climate change, said, “Eastbourne needs East Sussex County Council to deliver cycle routes around Eastbourne that link up and allow our residents to cycle safely. Eastbourne Borough Council is committed to delivering a carbon neutral town by 2030.

“To do this we must dramatically reduce our local car journeys. The most significant modal shift is to move our residents from their cars to their feet or their bicycles. Residents are far more likely to make this behaviour change if there are safe cycle routes that join up and allow us all to get around quickly and safely.”

County councillor Ungar said, “We need to encourage more walking and cycling to improve our air quality which will, in turn, have manifest improvements in our health.”

Paul Humphreys from Bespoke Cycle Group said, “These off road routes like Horsey Sewer and the Cuckoo Trail give everyone a chance to cycle safely - they provide car-free options for the disabled, the less confident and children going to school. However the challenge for Eastbourne remains, that there are no safe cycling routes into and through the town centre ‘

Evie said, “We’re really pleased that the councillors accepted our Christmas card and discussed the local transport improvement residents would like for Christmas. We welcome their support in pushing for greener, accessible transport in Eastbourne and with lobbying government for the funding we need to make this happen.”

Anyone wanting more information on Eastbourne Greenpeace can find the group on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.