Derek Deedman

Following the recent improvements to the South Downs Way (SDW) Bridge at St Botolphs, an additional £20,000 has been found from the County Council budget to be spent on the Downs Link between Bramber and Shoreham this year. The section between Bramber and the SDW Bridge is regarded as a priority in terms of upgrading.

Mike Croker, a local cyclist and John Ford, a member of the Ramblers Association, have made suggestions for the use of this money. Derek Deedman has passed these to the County Countryside Manager for him and the County Cycling Officer to consider in connection with the upgrading proposals.

Mike Croker has proposed that the Coombes Road from Lancing to Bramber should be re-designated as a ‘Quiet Lane’, with traffic restrictions for use as a cycle route. In this regard he agrees that the section of the Downs Link between Bramber and the SDW should be a priority for improvement as it would facilitate an easier route into the Bramber area from Coombes than the Annington Road’s rather steep hills.

In addition to supporting this improvement John Ford has asked whether the idea of going from Bramber Castle, as far as the river bridge, then under it and back to the rail track on the south side of the A283 still a contender to eliminate the current A283 crossing at road level. He additionally supports making the Coombes Road a “quiet route” for cyclists from the Sussex Pad north to St Botolphs Church and suggests that the cycle route could then join the old rail track north, loop under the A283 at the river, then go north to Bramber Castle as mentioned above.