Local residents in Jevington, East Sussex are up in arms at repairs being undertaken to a 500-yard stretch of bridleway running from St Andrew's Church on to the top of the South Downs.

They say it is insensitive when the Government are cutting local services. It is expensive. And it is unnecessary. There have been no recent reports of any accidents which would warrant such extensive repairs.

What's more, they say, it will now become a safety hazard. The new, improved surface will not only encourage more cyclists and motor-cyclists to use the bridleway increasing the dangers to both riders and walkers, it will also encourage the cyclists and motor-cyclists to go even faster.

Says local resident, Mark Flower, who has lived in the village for 20-years, "In these austere times, when the Government is asking everybody to share the pain, there is no way this could be considered a priority. It's scandalous. It's a complete waste of money. I question the wisdom of East Sussex County Council for authorising the work in the first place,and it would be interesting to know why it was considered a priority, in these days of swingeing cuts. Canvassing views in the village, it appears that many support Flower's view.

"If the Council want to spend money repairing bridleways in the village, there are plenty of others that are in a far worse state of repair and are used by far more people, riders, walkers and cyclists, that have issues with non-existent drainage and run off, flooding gardens and roads."

Other residents question the costs, which they estimate to be between £10,000 and £20,000.