A short section of the Cuckoo Trail, which is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders, is being resurfaced because wet conditions over the winter have caused the path to become soft and break up. When the path dried out during the summer months it became uneven.
Work to straighten and re-lay the path is taking place about one mile south of Horam and is expected to last a week from Monday 6 September.
For safety reasons, diversions will be in place: one for walkers using public footpaths, and another for cyclists and horse riders using a bridle path and the road between Marle Green and Horebeech Lane.
Later in the autumn*, the Trail is being closed for one mile between Sayerland Lane in Polegate and Summerhill Lane in Hailsham. This is because Southern Water needs to replace a section of a vital water supply pipe, which runs underneath the path.
This main has ruptured repeatedly over the last few years, leading to emergency closures on several occasions.
Diversions will be in place for walkers and cyclists between Sayerland Lane and Ersham Road. Southern Water's work is expected to last eight weeks.
Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at East Sussex County Council, said: "The Cuckoo Trail is a beautiful pathway that is extremely popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and we understand these closures are a bit frustrating for people. Unfortunately work like this is something we have to put up with from time to time and we'd like to thank people for bearing with us – these improvements will help to make sure the Trail stays open for people to enjoy in future."
Further information
*Currently we do not have a confirmed date for the start of Southern Water's work. We will update you as soon as we have more information.
The Cuckoo Trail is managed by an East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council partnership.
Find out more about the Cuckoo Trail or visit Wealden District Council.
Reference:
PR 2922
Contact the press team
East Sussex County Council