Not enough call for cycle lane scheme

Such a high level of accessibility can only be a good thing for the district and for tourism to the area.

Unlike the majority of councils in the UK, Arun District Council does not employ an access officer, so we try to fill this gap.

It is in this spirit that I wrote regarding the proposals to allow cycling along Littlehampton Promenade.

Councillor Norman Dingemans (Gazette letters, March 3) claims there has been such a demand for many years.

I can’t recall hearing any such demand, nor do I recall placard-waving cyclists voicing their demands in public.

The council’s own limited public consultation had fewer than 40 supporters, which is hardly an endorsement for such a change.

Mr Dingemans quotes some legislation, including the now revoked Disability Discrimination Act, which is no longer valid.

However, the Equality Act 2010 requires local authorities to conduct an equality impact assessment.

I do not believe Arun has done this. It certainly did not consult Arun Access Group.

Further the Department for Transport guidelines are quite clear, as Mr Dingemans himself quoted – “Converting a footway or footpath for cyclists should only be done after rigorous assessment, etc.”

His comparisons with Bognor Regis are not relevant.

Littlehampton has visitor attractions on either side of the Promenade and pedestrian traffic, including young children, flow to and from The Green to the beach and kiosks, at present, in a degree of safety.

Introduce cyclists and there are clear dangers with these proposals.

Were the independent consultants RoSPA trained?

As a former professional investigator, I had many years’ experience of dealing with the aftermath of collisions involving cyclists, and I can see the risks, couldn’t they?

Finally, as for increasing levels of local fitness, a slow cycle along the Promenade can hardly be a realistic initiative for this, of course fast cycling may have such a benefit!

Michael Dunne,

chairman, Arun Access Group

Dove Lodge

Beach Road

Littlehampton