Battle ‘needs safe spaces to walk and cycle’

The drive to improve these spaces follows on from the success of the new health pathway on Battle Recreation Ground.

In 2020 Battle Town Council created a Cycling and Walking Working Group in the hope of securing sponsorship from the Government Emergency Active Travel Fund.

The fund was set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic with a view to encouraging an increase in levels of cycling and walking, with an emphasis on delivering infrastructure improvements. Prior to this, a number of Battle residents had worked on cycling and walking infrastructure developments, however several bids were made in 2020 without success.

The council’s new working group is now evaluating the infrastructure parish-wide for small-scale projects which could be developed to a more detailed stage, ready for when further funding opportunities arise.

Cllr Dale Wheeler, chair of Battle Town Council Cycling and Walking Working Group, said: “The health pathway on Battle Recreation Ground has been a huge success, and we are keen to expand this to other areas of Battle so residents can enjoy safe spaces to walk and cycle.

“Walking and cycling are good for our physical and mental health and we feel this would be hugely beneficial to Battle residents in many ways.”

The working group is currently considering the footpath which runs between Battle & Langton School and Park Lane, to see whether it can be widened, resurfaced and made safer for all users, including walkers and cyclists.

The route ties in with East Sussex County Council and Sustrans active travel infrastructure and forms a small section of the Battle Schools Greenway.

In the long term, the working group plans to improve infrastructure and connectivity across the parish and encourage residents to switch from car journeys to active travel.

To find out more about the project, contact Battle Town Council via www.battletowncouncil.gov.uk