Letter: Keeping the Downs Link Amenity Is Important

Published on: 15 Sep, 2023
Updated on: 15 Sep, 2023

The Downs Link path from the A281 at Shalford, looking in the direction of Bramley.

From: Nigel Clowes

In response to: Campaign Group Invites Support in Bid to Reopen Guildford to Horsham Railway

Whilst reopening the rail link to Cranleigh is a good, environmentally friendly project in principle, if there is no new Downs Link running parallel to the rail line, it is likely to be a non-starter.

I don’t believe the non-local general public has any idea how many people use and enjoy the Downs Link every day of the year for cycling, riding and walking. Any loss of this wonderful amenity would be strongly resisted by all the communities on the Downs Link route.

Conversely, a solution which included this amenity would most likely be strongly supported. Hopefully, it is not an either/or proposal as both have significant merit but the status quo would and should be maintained in that case.

We will be discussing this idea at our next Parish Council meeting which will produce an interesting range of views.

Nigel Clowes is a parish councillor at Ewhurst and Ellens Green