Old Funeral Road, Telscombe Tye

Image: © Simon Carey Taken: 27 Oct 2012

The name given to the byway that runs from the A259 across the Tye to the village of Telscombe which is an ancient highway. Prior to the 20th century the population was sparse here so I'm guessing the funeral processions that once travelled this route may well have come from the few local farms or the sea. The route was also a popular one for smugglers moving their illegal items off the beach at Saltdean Gap and into the hinterland to the north. In modern times the track has been the centre piece of a row between Telscombe Council, owners of the Tye since 2002, and East Sussex Country over the use of illegal bunds either side of the track. Most have now been removed and the rest landscaped. This was one of a number of issues between users of the common and the town council that have rumbled on since the turn of the century, the former accusing the latter of succumbing to vestige interests particularly where local councillors are related to those trying to limit use.

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