Sustrans - National Cycle Routes

On Tuesday this week Sustrans published via their Facebook page that they are looking at launching a new way of supporting Sustrans in the future called Sponsor a Mile. The idea is to give current and new Sustrans supporters a chance to support their favourite part of National Cycle Network.

Down here in Seaton, we have a section of National Route 2 which runs along the south coast of England, from Dover to St. Austell and the final stretch of National Route 33 which starts (or will, as it is still under development) in Bristol and will cross Somerset and Devon to reach the English Channel at Seaton via Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Chard. Here in Seaton, the 33 uses the existing Route 2, so no new development required there.

While in principle, in these days of austerity, I am happy to consider sponsoring the provision of good cycleways, after all, bikes don't need to pay road tax, the very short section available to me in Seaton would need improving. For example, the near impossible to negotiate anti bike chicanes, dogs roaming freely off their leads, stagnant water along side the sewage treatment works, handlebar width lanes and rickety bridges with no passing places, leaves much to be desired. I would also hazard a guess that the length of this path is no more than half a mile.

I've commented on before how on I wished they were more than just a token and intermittent offering. Town planners need to be targeted to promote and install paths to encourage people to get out of their cars. As a car enthusiast, I have frequently come across a lone or group of cyclists out on the narrow Devon roads and feared for their safety. Now finding myself in their position, appreciating how very exposed it is out there, I find it hard to understand why more is not being done. I can now see why some cyclists risk being perceived by us 4 wheeled motorists, safe and secure in our cozy armoured vehicles, as having some form of arrogance when it comes to riding two abreast or a few feet out from the gutter. Most car drivers have no idea what it is to be a cyclist .. may be a day on two wheels should be part of the driving test!

So, should Sustrans put in place this sponsorship programme, I will be very interested to see how they intend these monies be used to improve the infrastructure and not just provide much needed funding for its upkeep. I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops.