- 5km popular coastal walk needs strategy to bring facilities up to standard;
- Lynda Hyde puts forward proposal for strategic plan for the Undercliff to instigate improvements, if elected on 5th May;
- Plan includes strategic plan; budgeted list of infrastructure upgrades; and push for fair share of seafront funding for east of the city.
Conservative Candidate for the Rottingdean Coastal by-election Lynda Hyde has announced a plan to upgrade beachside infrastructure along The Undercliff Walk.
Lynda Hyde, who has been campaigning and speaking to residents ahead of the Rottingdean Coastal by-election on Thursday 5th May, said that that community groups wanted to see improved facilities along the 5km Coastal stretch that runs across the ward from Brighton Marina to Saltdean.
Lynda said that if elected she would introduce a motion at the Council to kick start a local strategy for The Undercliff Walk that would require the Council to:
- Consider the full 5 km stretch as whole within a strategic plan;
- Compile a list of budgeted infrastructure improvements required, in consultation with community groups, and establish a programme of works;
- Identify current funding that is available for seafront infrastructure across the city and guarantee a share for Undercliff Walk;
- Establish regular engagement with the key community groups across the Undercliff Walk.
Lynda Hyde said that a new focus was needed to be done to bring community infrastructure at Undercliff Walk up to standard.
“The Undercliff Walk has been treated in a fragmented way for too long and as a result an infrastructure backlog has built up” Lynda said.
“I have been hearing from community groups that there is a need to upgrade facilities across Undercliff Walk including new bins, signage, beach huts and chalets; upgraded and accessible toilet and changing facilities (particularly at Ovingdean and Saltdean); disability beach access ramps and beach showers; cycling safety measures; seafront railing restoration; and beach defibrillators.
“It is so well used as a shared space for pedestrians, runners, cyclists and beach goers and unites people across the Rottingdean Coastal ward and we need to make sure the facilities are there.
“We need to make sure that the east of the City gets a fair share of City-wide seafront funding as too often this money ends up in the west of Brighton and Hove. We have only just got the first disability beach access ramp in the east of the City, thanks to the work of Cllr Mears who secured the funding and location and Ovingdean has just got a beach shower.
“There is currently £250,000 of funding available for new beach huts and refurbishment of seafront railings; and the Council has also just received £330,000 from the Government’s changing places fund - we need to make sure that this goes to the Undercliff Walk where it is needed.
“By focusing on Undercliff Walk in a practical and strategic way we can secure further funding for improvements. If elected I will bring these proposals forward for a vote at the first opportunity” Lynda said.
Conservative Group Councillor Samer Bagaeen said he supported Lynda’s strategic approach for Undercliff Walk.
“Other stretches of the Seafront such as Black Rock and Kingsway-to-the-Sea have a strategic planning focus which helps them gain external funding and improve facilities” Cllr Bagaeen said.
“We need to see this for Undercliff Walk as well, which is well-used and popular part of the Coast but is currently not united by an overall plan.
“It is important to remember that Undercliff Walk serves an additional purpose as a defence against potential rising sea levels and this also needs to be taken into consideration” Cllr Bagaeen added.
