I have written a description of the route but this will have to be read backwards if any of your members want to join us for a rerun in the summer.

Best wishes Graham Watson

Route Description

Dear All,

The Ouse Valley Cycle Network Moving Planet walk was promoted through Viva Lewes, Village Connections, Cycle Seahaven, Transition Lewes and at the Newhaven Mayor’s quiz night! As you can see from the happy waving walkers picture… we moved our tiny bit of the planet and our walk was well supported on a fine September day!

Around twenty people, several dogs and a heron joined the walk, enjoying the beautiful riverside scenery with wonderful panoramic views of surrounding Downland including Mount Caburn, Firle, Kingston and Swanborough Hills. We were well sustained throughout the approx nine mile walk by great enroute foraging… tasting many different varieties of apples and blackberries – and by our picnic at Southease!

We discussed possibilities for the Ouse valley trail as part of the bigger picture of South Downs National Park sustainable tourism, Lewes, Newhaven and Ouse valley development. We took photos and made detailed notes about the condition of the exisitng path, distributing information about the OVCN to passing cyclists and walkers, and at the Southease Chilli fair and Lewes Pickled events… We also talked about how to develop village connections and wider links with the Ouse valley network and international trails.

Apart from working out a solution for the frustrating but very pretty diversion at Piddinghoe, we felt that very few physical changes would be required to sensitively transform the riverside route into a much needed shared walking and cycle trail. Most of the work will be in making a strong enough case to change hearts and minds!

These minutes discuss Group Stucture, Objectives, Strategy & Leads.

We now have enough representatives for this meeting. I reckon this is going to be a cracker of a project, and we’re already heavily involved. By way of an overview here are some words on the C7 project:

Cycle Seahaven resurrected the old C7 greenway scheme and we’ve already had meetings with the Highways Agency, Sustrans and ESCC. Residents of villages along this road, collectively called POLO (Parishes Of Lower Ouse), have seized on this and are working hard to devise a practical solution. Past efforts ran to ground because residents couldn’t decide the best plan. Cycle Seahaven has suggested that a compromise be reached otherwise nothing will happen. The C7 greenway has already missed out on funding and we don’t want internal indecision to see this project miss out again. The meeting on 12th April is to devise a plan to get all interested parties involved and to decide on approach.

Things have changes since the original concept –
1) The South Downs Park Authority are up and running and may be able to assist with funds;
2) The new Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) can be bid for, and we’re keen for ESCC to bid on our behalf;
3) A change of plans means the river banks will now be maintained for another 100 years, rather than go unmanaged. This opens up the possibility of a river-side route;
4) ESCC now recognise the health and environmental benefits;
5) Government policy is for a sustainable approach to transport.

Andy.