New trail to schoool

On December 19, the long awaited new bridge on the Cuckoo Trail over Tubwell Lane near Horam is being opened to the public.

A new ramp links the Cuckoo Trail and the school removing the need for crossing any roads. It is hoped that the improvements will encourage more parents to take their children to school using the Cuckoo Trail rather than in their cars.

Heathfield-based disabled man Alan Lindfield is particularly pleased. Mr Lindfield and his organisation Tubwell Lane Bridge Appeal raised money and helped lobby the Countryside Agency for funding.

The 100,000 project will also enable walkers, cyclists, disabled users and prams to more easily use the popular trail, which runs from Polegate to Heathfield and attracts 250,000 visits a year.

The new bridge will replace the original railway bridge which was dismantled in the 1970s and is the result of Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council working in partnership.

Cllr Mrs Margaret Kirkpatrick, Wealden District Council's Cabinet Member for Community, said: "This is an excellent example of organisations working in partnership with and for the benefit of the community.

"The opening of the bridge will be particularly welcome to the pupils at Maynards Green Primary School who will now be able to safely cycle to school along the Cuckoo Trail and take full advantage of their new cycle sheds which were part funded from the 1,000 top prize in Wealden District Council's Environment Awards this year."

CCllr Tony Reid, Lead County Council Cabinet member for Transport and Environment said: "Working in partnership with Wealden District Council and the Countryside Agency has achieved this great safety facility for users of the Cuckoo Trail, particularly the children who attend Maynards Green School and for the disabled and people pushing prams."