Proposals to complete the King Charles III England Coastal Path through Rye have been revealed. Last month Natural England submitted a report to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs detailing how it plans to improve access to the four mile stretch of coast / river between Rye Harbour and Camber Sands.
A six-week online consultation finishes in late September. You can read the proposals here.
The plan to formalise the coastal path ground to a halt two years ago when Natural England said the route near Brede Sluice was not safe. The latest plans, which have been discussed with National Highways, suggests safety improvements could be made.
The latest proposals say that "there is a clear local desire for a walked route around the Rother Estuary via Rye".
The preferred route follows the Harbour Road from the village before joining the footpath through fields behind the industrial estates, crossing the Brede Sluice, following the main road before continuing along the riverside at Rock Channel. After crossing the Monk Bretton Bridge, the route follows the eastern bank of the River Rother, although this part of the path is currently closed due to flood defence works. Once the work on the tidal wall is completed it will run south along a seawall overlooking the estuary and the Environment Agency’s new salt marsh creation scheme.
Near Rye Golf Course the proposals say "this public footpath becomes unusable where it leaves the seawall and crosses eroding mudflats and saltmarsh. South from the Harbour Master’s office to Camber Beach, an informal path continues alongside the river to the mouth of the river." The route follows the beach through Camber.
The report also notes how Rye Gold Club "is concerned that if this existing riverside path is promoted as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, increased numbers of walkers between Rye and Camber would lead to heightened public safety risks, significantly disrupt play and affect the commercial viability of the golf course. Increasing amounts of antisocial behaviour and picnicking on the site were also raised as a concern, along with risks to public safety on coastal margin land near the golf course."
Consultation on completing the coastal path through Rye continues until September 25.
