Last week we published an article on the fact that the Coast Path between Eastbourne and Camber will not pass through Rye. The two main reasons given by Natural England, the organisation behind the Coast Path, was because of the dangerous A259 and Rye Harbour Road junction on one side of the river Rother and opposition from Rye Golf Club on the other side of the Rother.
We have received responses from both Councillor Keith Glazier, leader of East Sussex County Council (ESCC), who believes the junction is safe, and is Rye’s representative on the Council, and Rye Golf Club who think another route would be better - and not affect the golf.
The responses from both have been published in separate stories within this week's edition of Rye News.
In addition, we have received a response from ESCC regarding a missing piece of the Rights of Way path along the River Rother that would allow walkers to avoid the golf course altogether, which has also been published separately from this story.
It is worth reiterating that the proposed Coast Path would be classed as a National Trail when it is completed around England. Funding for its creation and future maintenance would be coming direct from central government and not ESCC, who have the responsibility for maintaining other Rights of Way across East Sussex.
Over the last decade we have heard repeatedly from ESCC that it has no money to deliver additional services beyond those they have a statutory duty to deliver. Yet all ESCC is being asked to do is tackle a dangerous junction which in turn would bring in external investment as well as additional visitors who would help boost the local economy.
You can still send your comments to Natural England on its proposals for a national coastal path here.
