The Council is to consult the Citizens Panel on a proposal to create a cycle route from Fisherman’s Green to the Pier. The plans involve segregating parts of the promenade and installing a boardwalk on the seaward side, for pedestrians who wish to stroll along the prom as many visitors to the town and residents have done since before the turn of the century.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Tourism and Economy Councillor David Elkin says, "It is imperative that we get a strong response to this consultation. This area of the promenade is very narrow and it has been an on going problem trying to accommodate cyclists. This could be an exciting improvement to the ambience to our already very busy seafront."
Members of the Council have been challenged for many years to find a route suitable for cyclists who wish to travel along the seafront as a leisure pursuit and also to provide a satisfactory route for those who wish to cycle into the town centre.
By providing such a route this would enable cyclists to travel to and from the town from as far away as Hampden Park and Sovereign Harbour and beyond and would be seen as a very positive step forward in offering an alternative to car dependency.
Pedestrians would be able to use the boardwalk nearest to the sea and cyclists would use an adapted promenade to cycle upon. Detailed design work is still to be undertaken on crossing points, signage and segregation in parts to ensure the safety not only of pedestrians but also the cyclists who would use the route.
