Littlehampton cycle path welcomed as link with Bognor

The fully signposted route now leads cyclists past the River Arun to Bognor Promenade and forms part of Route 2 of the National Cycle Network, from Dover to St Austell.

The new route goes through Yapton, following Bilsham Road across Comet Corner and down to Middleton, eventually turning westwards and heading towards Felpham.

Chris Sprules, a volunteer for Sustrans, the charity behind the cycle network, said: “It’s great that we have been able to join up the two communities of Bognor and Littlehampton by bike.

“The route has been designed to travel along quiet roads and through parks and will make it easier for people to do their daily journeys – to school, work or the shops – by bike.

“Also, anyone looking for a short and flat seaside ride to Bognor this summer will be able to follow the new signs and discover just how easy and enjoyable cycling can be.”

There were initially plans to build a cycle path along the coastline from Climping to Bognor. However, the Environment Agency’s proposals to cease maintenance of sea defences along part of the Climping coastline has put a question mark against the long-term viability of that proposal.

Former Arun councilor, David Biss, who was the chairman of the Climping Gap Partnership, a group of Climping residents, businesses, councillors and other interested parties, was keen to see the development of the new cycle path along the coast.

He said: “It is a good idea but one fraught with difficulties. The current coastline protection projection means it’s too difficult to push these plans through right now.

“It would have meant a complete realignment of the current footpath that runs near Climping Beach.

“However, I do still remain optimistic about the route.”

It is hoped that the new Yapton route will eventually continue along Bognor promenade through to Summer Lane in Aldwick and join the cycle route from Selsey to Mundham, eventually entering Chichester along the canal.

The National Cycle Network now covers around 13,000 miles across the UK. For more details of the new cycle path development, visit www.sustrans.org.uk