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TV51909
Grid square TV5199 is of strategic importance as it is the lowest bridging point on the River Cuckmere. The bridge at Exceat carries the A259 and thus it links, Easbourne, Seaford and Brighton. The only single lane section of this road occurs at the bridge at Exceat and consequently it forms a bottleneck where long queues often form on both sides of the bridge. This is not only frustrating and dangerous for motorists, but it is bad for business in the area.
It is planned to tackle road congestion at Exceat by building a new two lane bridge costing an estimated £2 million. This would be done using a £2 million grant. East Sussex County Council said it would choose a location for the bridge which would minimise the impact on the South Downs National Park. A spokesperson for the National Park Authority (SDNPA) has said, “As the planning authority for the South Downs National Park, we would welcome pre-application discussions with East Sussex County Council as they develop their plans. Any application that comes forward will need to be of a high quality, taking into account both the sensitive location; the people who know and use this area and the special qualities for which the National Park was designated.”
Recent extensive floods in the lower part of the River Cuckmere flood plain have raised concerns among some local people that the A259 could become flooded at Exceat and the road made impassable. The recent floods are in part due to factors including a prolonged period of rain and the Victorian river defences being allowed to decay. This plan would to allow the river to return to a more natural state, would encourage wildlife and would be more cost effective for the Environment Agency. Shingle has been allowed to accumulate at the mouth of the River Cuckmere and the Environment Agency has defended its decision not to dredge the mouth of the river by saying it “will not spend public money unless there is a risk to people’s homes. In 2007, dredging cost £50,000 and the cost now would probably be greater.”
Lewes M.P. Maria Caulfield, recently called on the Environment Agency to dredge the River Cuckmere but they refused. According to her statement, “The Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board decided its use its reserves to fund an urgent one off de-shingle of the river mouth at Cuckmere Haven.” There is a current petition calling for urgent action on the River Cuckmere. Both the bridge at Exceat and the risk of floods on either side of it are issues of immediate public concern. What are your views?
Andrew Diack, B. A. (Hons)
TV5199 : Cars crossing Exceat BridgeTV5199 : View across the River Cuckmere to the flooded boathouse[[TV5199 : Floods on the River Cuckmere as seen from Exceat BridgeTV5199 : Floods on the River Cuckmere viewed from near the car parkTV5199 : River Cuckmere floods threatening the A259