Most asked: Alister Linton-Crook, Cycling Projects Officer
April 30, 2018
Every month we ask someone involved in the National Park to answer the questions they get asked most about their work.
Answering this month is:
Alister Linton-Crook, South Downs Cycling Projects Officer
Can you help me attract more cyclists to my business?
Providing suitable cycling facilities is a great way to entice more cyclists to your business – we know that giving people a secure place to park their bicycles makes a big difference. We have a scheme which has supported installation of more than one hundred bike stands across the National Park over the last three years. Find out how to apply here
There’s a foot path which I want to cycle down. How can I get it changed to a shared path or bridleway?
There isn’t a simple answer and it’s important to remember it’s not desirable to convert every route to allow bicycles. Some paths will only ever be suitable to access on foot – this might be because they’re narrow, pass through sensitive habitats or some other reason.
You could try to approach the landowners, who have the power to grant permissive access – known as higher rights – either privately to selective groups or publicly to everyone. If you want to have the status of a path changed it becomes a more complicated legal process. The first stage would be to contact the Rights of Way team at the relevant Highway Authority – in the National Park this would be Hampshire County Council, East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council or Brighton & Hove City Council.
When will the Egrets Way / Centurion Way be finished?
I’m afraid there’s still a lot of work to be done on both of these trails. When developing new long distance trails like these, the best strategy is to work in sections with landowners and stakeholders, applying for planning permission and sourcing funding for each section as we go.
In the case of the Egrets Way we continue to work with the Ouse Valley Cycle Network who have just secured planning permission for two new sections of path and we are actively pursuing funding to develop these – for example we’re working with Newhaven Town Council to bid for Coastal Community Funding. We’re committed to completing this route all the way from Lewes to Newhaven but expect it to be a few years before the dream is realised.
For Centurion Way we’ve been able to carry out extensive habitat surveys and route feasibility studies for the next stage running from West Dean to the South Downs Way at Cocking thanks to funding from the National Park Authority’s strategic fund and Coast to Capital LEP. This has involved working with lots of stakeholders to develop a route alignment that largely follows the former railway line whilst avoiding the tunnels due to sensitive wildlife designations and protected habitats. We hope to get the planning application in for this section during the summer and then we can apply for funding to actually build the route. It’s still our long-term goal to get the route all the way to Midhurst but realistically that will take at least five to ten years.
Do you have any ready mapped rides or walks in the National Park?
Yes, there are lots on our website and, wherever possible, we’ve tried to start and finish them at bus stops or train stations.
You can also find all of these, and lots more, uploaded to the Viewranger app
How can I improve cycling access into my estate?
Linking in to local cycling routes is a great way to increase visitors and support employees to travel more sustainably. For example I recently worked with Development and Planning to help the Iford Estate develop access facilities for tourists and employees and new holiday lodges through the Whole Estate Plan. Please come and talk to us. We can give lots of feedback and ideas to prioritise connections into the local cycling and Rights of Way network.
Are you organising any rides or walks in the National Park?
Yes, we’re excited to be organising the family ride for the Winchester Cycle Festival again on 10 June. This is a great opportunity for cyclists of all levels to see the sights of the city on closed roads before the serious criterium racing gets underway.
We’re also working with the Eastern Area Team to develop a series of bike rides and walks in East Sussex as part of the Active Access for Growth programme which will give cyclists and walkers the opportunity to enjoy rides and walks into the National Park from Peacehaven, Newhaven and Seaford. Look out for more information in the newsletter later this summer.
Is it true that roads in the National Park are going to be closed for a one day bike ride?
Yes, we’re delighted to welcome the Velo South 100 miles closed road cycle event to the South Downs on Sunday 23 September. This is the first event of its kind to be run in the area and 60% of the route will run through the National Park.
15,000 people will be taking part, with friends and family coming along to support, which is a great opportunity to showcase these landscapes and a boost to local businesses. There may be some small inconvenience to some individuals on the day but it should also be lots of fun with plenty of opportunities for communities to get involved and join in the celebrations. The organisers are liaising with all parishes and organisations along the route and full details will be published on the Velo South website this May.