You say: Footpaths
October 10, 2017
Do you have a story you want to tell about the National Park? A burning issue that you think needs to be raised publicly? We publish one story or comment about the National Park in our newsletter South Downs News each month and a response from the SDNPA.
Maria Funnel from Amberley asks
I am writing to you regarding my concerns with visibility on part of the South Downs Way. It is extremely dangerous trying to cross the B2139 at Amberley due to poor visibility by overgrown vegetation. This is a popular route for cyclists and walkers along with numerous Charity run events. The traffic cannot see if someone is trying to cross and you have to peer into their line of vision to see if it is safe to cross. With traffic often going faster than the 40mph speed limit and large lorries using this road it is an accident waiting to happen. Surely the South Downs National Park should provide a safe environment for people using the South Downs Way where it crosses roads?
There are other footpaths within the National Park which are also so overgrown they are impassable during the summer months. Are we not meant to promote the Park as a well kept, pleasant place for tourists and locals to enjoy?
Please can something be done, I appreciate budgets are tight.
Andy Gattiker leads on the South Downs Way National Trail and Rights of Way for the South Downs National Park Authority
We’re responsible for maintaining the South Downs Way – which we do to a very high standard – but when the National Park was created our local Highways Authorities chose to take back responsibility for maintaining all other footpaths and we would like to see these paths maintained to higher standards. We speak to the Highways Authorities regularly and our volunteers do give some time and support where possible. It may be that we can find a more proactive role for the SDNPA in the future. In the meantime we are developing our long-term plan to develop a strategic network of shared-use paths along disused railway lines across the National Park.
With regards to the SDW crossing of the B2139 at Amberley, we are currently in discussions with West Sussex County Council highways department about potential improvements to that very crossing. The details are still being discussed but this could include additional road markings and cutting back some of the hedges to increase the visibility.
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