Ouse Valley Cycle Network

OUSE VALLEY CYCLE NETWORK

Local people living in and around the lower Ouse Valley have set up

the Ouse Valley Cycle Network (OVCN) to encourage the

development of a network of multi-user routes in the Ouse valley

for recreational and utility use.

OUR AIMS

1. To establish a network of safe cycle and walking routes

linking Lewes, Newhaven and the villages of the Lower

Ouse Valley for both recreational and utility use

2. To encourage sustainable and healthy life-styles by

creating opportunities for cycling and walking with due

regard to the environment

3. To promote routes which join up with other cycle and

walking trails locally, nationally and internationally

4. To help support the development of a sustainable local

economy, especially green tourism

5. To work with local parishes and communities, other

interest groups and relevant public bodies

OUR VISION

 A network of interlinking cycle and walking routes within in

the Ouse Valley between Lewes and Newhaven including the

parishes of Kingston, Swanborough, Iford, Northease & Rodmell,

Southease, and Piddinghoe.

 Trails that can be built up piece-meal from sections already in

place; sections at an advanced stage of planning and sections

which can be created sharing existing footpaths; sections which

will require more investigation and formal infrastructure e.g. C7

 Accepts most trails will be shared with other users

 Accepts some will be predominately recreational; others utility

 Accepts some will be seasonal or fair weather only

 Accepts surfaces will vary according to stage of development,

appropriateness to use and to the landscape

OUR PLAN

Following a number of open meetings over the last few months,

facilitated by South Downs National Park Officers, we now have in

place an organisation with a Constitution and a Steering Committee.

We have set up four working groups exploring and advising on:

 Communications

 Community consultation

 Routes

 Funding.

We plan to:

 Build on the experience of an earlier attempt to create a

safe route along the C7, Lewes to Newhaven road.

 Work with our Parish, Town, District and County Councils;

local schools, community and interest groups; farmers,

landowners and businesses; the South Downs National Park

and other public bodies

 To encourage the healthy and responsible enjoyment of this

beautiful area and its special landscape of river valley,

wetland pastures and chalk downland

 To create a facility to promote better understanding of

Living Landscapes using the trails for outreach work

through organisations such as the Linklater Pavilion,

Sussex Wildlife Trust and the South Downs National Park.

 To invite individuals and groups in tune with our aims to

sign up as supporters or contribute to a working group.

OUR ACTIONS

We are now a constituted organisation with officers and a

steering group.

We are building on the experience of earlier attempts to

create a safe route along the C7 Lewes-Newhaven road.

We have held a series of open public meetings during 2011

with help from South Downs National Park staff.

We have commissioned a Project Feasibility Study undertaken by Sustrans.

We accept that some trails will be more suited to recreational use.

Some may be seasonal or fair-weather only.

Surfaces will differ according to usage, stage of development

and landscape sensitivity.

We are working with our Parish and Town Councils, Lewes

District and East Sussex County Councils; the South Downs

National Park, The Environment Agency and other public

bodies.

We are engaging with local schools, colleges, community

groups, farmers, landowners and local businesses.

We have been grant aided by the South Downs National

Park Sustainable Communities Fund to help with set-up costs

and are actively seeking further funding support.

WE INVITE

Individuals and groups in line with our aims to sign up as

supporters. For further information visit our web-site.

www.ovcn.org.uk

Contact OVCN Secretary Susan Thompson 01273 477070 or by email villageconnectionsinfo@gmail.com 

Steering Group

Neville Harrison (Chair)

Andy Lock (Vice Chair)

Susan Thompson (Secretary)

Jan Marshall (Treasurer)

Sam Barlow  Tom Lockyer

Dinah Morgan John Parry

Helen Price Jenny Leon

Wendy Brewer

OVCN Info March 2012