BOAT: Fishpond Lane

Location: A272, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22, UK
  • Overall Rating: 0
  • Location: Hadlow Down, East Sussex.
  • OS Explorer Map 135, 'Ashdown Forest'.
  • Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ514242
  • Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 99' 70" W000 19' 40"
  • Finishing OS Grid Reference:  TQ545247
  • Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 00' 10" W000 20' 10"
  • To see: not much.
  • ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!
NB: byway subject to a seasonal TRO (1/10 to 31/03 yearly).

Update 2 (23/06/2013): This byway is still blocked by a bollard at the northern end. To quote East Sussex County Council's website: "Closed for 42 days from 1 April 2013 to protect public safety due to water damage to the recently improved surface, exposing the membrane beneath the stone. This will be followed by a six month Traffic Regulation Order." So it is therefore subject to a TRO (that isn't likely to lift) and closed to motorised traffic. Give up.

Update 1 (06/05/2013): despite it being May, this lane is still subject to a TRO. According to a sign at the northern end, due to 'water damage to the recently improved surface' having exposed the underlying membrane and subsequently requiring repair, it is still closed to all motorised vehicles. The temporary TRO remains in force for forty two days from the date of the notice, which would make it open to vehicles from midnight on 12/05/2013. Expect a further update from us after that date.


This byway I have named 'Fishpond Lane' after the copse through which it passes (sounds so much better than East Sussex County Council Hadlow Down Byway 24). If it does have a 'proper' name, please feel free to comment below.

Starting at the northern end, leaving the A272 the byway initially serves as a driveway for some houses before the surface changes to that of a prepared stone chip surface over a membrane to improve drainage. As such, this green lane is incredibly easy to drive and is always dry and in good condition. Heading further downhill the track passes through very pleasant and well kept woodland until finally ending on Dog Kennel Lane after a run of approximately 3/4 of a mile. A very easy, if pleasant, drive.

It was initially subject to a TRO during works and was closed to motor vehicles, but now the works are complete it is still subject to a seasonal TRO even though (at the southern end at least) there are no signs to state as such. The locked gate, however, says all we need to know. The gate at the southern end is locked from 1st October until 31st March every winter, and an orange metal pillar protects the northern end.

A locked gate at the so protects this byway out of season...
...whilst this bollard protects the northern end.
View Fishpond Lane in a larger map

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