Temporary Chichester cycle route to be built

A two-kilometre long ‘keyworker corridor’ for safe cycling is being put in place in Chichester, connecting the area around St Richard’s Hospital in Spitalfield Lane with the city’s railway station.

The route will also link to the central retail area and other major employment sites, such as the University of Chichester.

Work is set to start week commencing July 27, subject to factors such as severe weather, and, according to West Sussex County Council, is likely to take about a fortnight to complete.

A county council spokesperson said: “It includes reallocating road space for cycling by segregating lane one of the dual-carriageway on the A286 Chichester Ring-Road and widening the existing cycle lane on the busy gyratory.

“A combination of traffic segregation ‘wands’, temporary 20mph speed limits and road markings and signage will be used throughout.

“Road users are advised to please allow extra time for their journeys or, if possible, seek alternative routes while the works are ongoing as delays are likely.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the works but our contractor will do all it can to minimise this as much as possible.”

Vegetation clearance and ‘siding out’ (widening back to full width) was carried out on the existing off-carriageway cycle track on the A259 Chichester to Bognor Regis route earlier this month.

The second of the seven schemes to start will create cycle provision connecting the north and south of Worthing, from the A24/A259 Grove Lodge roundabout area to the town centre.

“The likely start date for this project will be announced soon,” the county council spokesperson said.

“The schemes, totalling 21km of new and improved cycle lanes, will provide improved travel choice for both residents and visitors and help to link commuting destinations in each of the county’s borough and district areas as the Government eases lockdown in the COVID-19 crisis.”

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