Greenway bridge plan sparks funding concerns

A decision by Wealden District Council (WDC) to contribute £558,000 towards a new bridge outside the council's boundary has been questioned.

Hamsey Bridge would be part of a planned nine-mile (14.5km) greenway walking and cycle route between Uckfield and Lewes, using part of the former railway track bed.

Opposition councillors called the decision in for scrutiny - and members of the Wealden Line Campaign Group have said the planned route would end their hopes of the railway line between Lewes and Tunbridge Wells returning.

WDC said the bridge over the River Ouse was "essential infrastructure" that would unlock wider benefits for Wealden as well as Lewes, and releasing funds would be conditional.

The money comes from Wealden's community infrastructure levy, which is charged to developers as part of planning agreements when they build a substantial number of new properties in the district.

Other funding is due to come from Lewes District Council and the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA).

Andrew Wilson, one of five councillors who called the decision in for scrutiny, said there was an "important question" about why money was being prioritised for the bridge in Lewes above infrastructure needed to support development in Wealden.

He added: "The wider greenway itself also remains at a very, very early stage with significant issues around landowner agreements and there's a lot of substantial further work to be resolved if this greenway is going to be delivered."

The scrutiny committee voted not to take any further action.

WDC said the greenway would create a safer, healthier way to walk, wheel and cycle between communities, jobs, education, services, rail connections and local green spaces across Wealden, Lewes and the surrounding area.

But the Wealden Line Campaign group believes the route would be better served by joining up "the infamous gap in Sussex's rail network".

Brian Hart from the group said while they were not against a greenway, "you simply cannot have a train coming past the greenway within a couple of feet".

"It must not go near the track because that is sacrosanct," he added.

Councillor Emily O'Brien, cabinet member for climate, nature and food systems, said the project would "transform how people move between Lewes and Hamsey now", as well as "unlocking a future Lewes to Uckfield route".

She said: "Schemes like this help tackle the climate emergency while improving people's wellbeing, strengthening our connection with the incredible landscape on our doorstep and giving people more sustainable travel choices."

With two-thirds of the £1.67m funding for the Hamsey Bridge now agreed, the SDNPA decided not to allocate funding this year.

At a meeting on 10 September the SDNPA's planning committee did not select the scheme for its community infrastructure levy funding.

The project will remain on the authority's Infrastructure Business Plan which will be considered again in September next year.

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