See also this useful report, which adds to the discussion: https://www.transportforqualityoflife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Vision-led-planning-v1.5.pdf
In Lewes, East Sussex they have a new cycle-footpath alongside the A27, as these audiences wish to go the same way and be segregated from a busy and dangerous road, underscored by the under-parr local South Coast Railway between Brighton and Ashford, which needs upgrading with re-doubling throughout, electrification and a new direct avoiding line at Eastbourne between Polegate and Stone Cross. Our beef is that rather than put these dedicated cycle-pedestrian-ways on old railway formations wanted for reopening, why not a nationwide scheme for every trunk and motorway to be mandated to have a segregated cycle-footpath alongside?
See:
What transport-wise this country needs is a network of cycle/walk-ways alongside trunk roads and motorways across England and retain former railway corridors for re-railing wherever possible if demand can be ascertained?
Instead we are clashing local rail connectivity with nature, cycling and walking, which should not be the case! We need the government to demand every agency and council to work together for traffic reduction strategies not just on paper but in delivery terms with rewards for doing it and override if they do not.We desperately need a modal shift from road to rail - people and goods, without the robust network a programme of local rail reopenings and select new pieces of railway cannot deliver it. Modal shift is not do-able on any scale like turning a mere 10% freight by rail to 80% by rail and off the roads. Emissions from vehicle pollution are harming people, boosting NHS waiting lists and costing everyone avarice.
The 1960's local rail closures are the root of where we are today and people, places and environmental concerns need choice of transport, affordable public transport and capacity enhancements to enable the trains, the freight and more access rail routes to enable volume switch from road to rail. Switching funding from new roads to local rail reopenings can also mean in austerity times, new money is not necessarily required. All regions need their fair share!
Please email your local MP and request support for these things nationwide as well as local particulars.
Join BRTA and offer to help:
Walking and cycling is essential as is a decent and comprehensive local rail network... which is where British Steel could also be extremely useful. Join the dots, now is the time to re-rail Great Britain. Today Lewes in East Sussex; from now, the rest of the UK please!
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