Plans to turn Theobalds Road and the bridleway leading to Fox Hill Village into a cycleway are I understand now considered not viable by the Council and it has returned to looking at alternatives. Whilst capital and maintenance costs were the barrier, many local residents were concerned about the environmental cost of the route.
Certainly, there are good reasons for making Rocky Lane and Issacs Lane safer for pedestrians and cyclists as well as taking a stand with the owners of the Heaseland Estate who could provide a more straightforward route to Haywards Heath at very little inconvenience to themselves. Anyone who has tried to walk between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill knows this is putting their lives in danger given the sharp bends and straight roads where even the grass verges are not always wide enough to walk on.
Work is nearing completion to widen the cycle path link to Fairbridge Way at Blackstone Way (albeit completion is currently delayed). This is part of the Place and Connectivity Programme, and I look forward to an all-weather cycle and footpath between St Wilfrids Road and Leylands Road, as well as improvements to the “bumpy bridge” to make it less bumpy! However, the plan also needs to consider a more permanent upgrade to the footpath to the north of Leylands Road leading to Maple Close to allow cyclists to use it.
The Town Council always advised against the so called “eastern route” to Fox Hill Village given the environmental concerns, and I understand they are now considering our proposal for a pedestrian crossing at or near the Mill Road junction given the need for a safe route across Leylands Road here.
