Bike Swarm in Ditchling supported by Local MP Maria Caulfield
Parents and children gathered outside Ditchling Primary school, last Saturday, for a bike swarm to highlight the safety concerns they have about children cycling to school between Ditchling and Hassocks. The roads between the two villages are narrow and dangerous with cars often speeding along making it difficult to walk or cycle.
A bike swarm is where cyclists and other non motorised forms of transport travel together along a route to emphasise the importance of these types of transport to their community and well being. They are great fun for everyone involved, whether young or old. People dress in bright clothes, make lots of noise and come together as a community to claim their space on the road.
Maria Caulfield MP was delighted to go along and support local residents and said “We have recently been successful in getting speed limits reduced in other parts of the constituency to make roads safer for residents and so I am keen to help the team in Ditchling improve the safety of the road between Hassocks and Ditchling. “
The event was organised by local residents Belinda Gordon and Rachel Travers and highlighting the importance of the event Belinda said, “ 'One short stretch of dangerous road between Ditchling and Keymer mean most people feel they have no option but to drive to get to school, train station and shops. My children have to walk or cycle along it to get to school and college and it really scares me. This has been a problem for decades but the use of the road has increased in recent years. East Sussex County Council really need to implement some of the safety measures proposed in the Sustrans report done in 2018.'
It is hoped a meeting with East Sussex County Council will now be arranged to see if improvements can be looked at.