RAMBLERS' FURY AT STEYNING ROUTE

RAMBLERS have criticised plans to make walkers on the South Downs Way use a route along the southern half of the busy Steyning by-pass, risking conflict with motor traffic while a nearby bridge is upgraded.They say the recommended route is dangerous and ill-advised, and a safer alternative is available.

From September, for six months, a footbridge across the River Adur south of Upper Beeding is being upgraded so that it will be suitable for wheelchair users.

Local Ramblers' Association activist John Ford of Steyning said: " We welcome the upgrading of the bridge, but we don't think that it is necessary to issue a notice that implies that surrounding footpaths will be closed, since they will still be useable. And the proposed temporary alternative route is dangerous. The council is telling people that the alternative for pedestrians and cyclists is the busy by-pass.There will be no alternative route for horses.

"No person in their right mind is going to attempt to walk the bypass route and only the brave will choose to cycle along it. Not only that, it is the most furthest alternative route available, routing people far from the South Downs Way."

He said it would be far better to recommend that East to West South Downs Way travellers should leave the route at the A283 road south of Upper Beeding and travel north using the roadside footway (cyclists use the road) into Upper Beeding.

Here they should proceed along the High Street and cross the Beeding bridge over the Adur and continue along Bramber High Street to Bramber Castle.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette August 29