Delays to free WiFi on Bognor seafront

Jim Brooks, a Bognor town councillor, said: “The plan was we would be running by Easter.”

However Arun District Council have now asked the town council to take responsibility for the installation at Arun’s Foreshore Office.

Cllr Brooks said: “We are not moaning, it has just been a hiccup.

“I am certainly at a loss as to why this was a problem, I think the sad thing is that Arun seem to be insisting that Bognor Town Council take responsibility for this, when they must have responsibility for properties all over.”

Speaking at the Bognor annual council, Cllr Brooks said: “It seems to have got bogged down between us and Arun District Council.

“The supplier agreed to put the wifi on the foreshore office and ADC insisted they would not deal with the contractor directly.”

When asked for a comment, Arun District Council said: “The council gave consent to Bognor Regis Town Council last month for the work to install Wi-Fi to take place.”

The wait between meetings has now been blamed for the delay, but Cllr Brooks reassured that ‘we have an end in sight’.

“I am hopeful that Bognor Regis Town Council will confirm they are happy to take it on. We have a meeting in June where I hope whatever is needed will be signed.”

If that goes to plan hopes are it’ll be running by the middle of the month.

Free WiFi in the town centre is reportedly doing well, with plans to ‘publicise it more’.

The service directs visitors to ‘Bognor.Today’ which lists local amenities, attractions and current events.

Cllr Brooks praised the volunteers who had helped make it possible, in particular Colin Clark and Clive Mott along with the partnership with Chris Heaps, Heaps of PCs.

He said: “It is good for our busy students and, well in this day and age, everyone really.

We think it is an important part of what we do offer our residents and visitors.

The plan was always to extend it to the seafront and Hotham Park.

“People don’t want to be cut off anymore, even if they are enjoying the sunshine.”