Case made for major new cycling facilities in Upper Shoreham Road

Back in 2020 Shoreham was one of six areas in the county where pop-up cycle schemes were installed – but then removed months later.

Then, in early 2021, West Sussex County Council sought views on possible measures to encourage more cycling and walking in Shoreham.

During the summer, a formal consultation was held on a permanent scheme for Upper Shoreham Road, among other measures.

But according to WSCC, neither of the two options put forward for segregated cycle facilities in Upper Shoreham Road ‘were well-supported’.

Then late last month it announced that a number of proposals for walking and cycling improvements across Shoreham will now be taken forward.

Shortlisted elements include reducing the size of junctions in Nicolson Drive, Middle Road, Rectory Road and the southern end of Stoney Lane; improvements to the surface of Middle Road and Rectory Road; converting mini roundabouts to T-junctions at key junctions; converting Park Avenue south of Park Road only to a one-way (northbound) street with a contraflow (southbound) cycle route; widening Middle Road at its pinch-point between Adur Avenue and Adelaide Square and widening Stoney Lane between Chiltern Close and St Julians Close.

For Upper Shoreham Road phase one would provide improved crossing facilities at a number of junctions and these would be designed to complement any future cycling lane scheme.

The county council would then seek views on a revised Upper Shoreham Road cycleway scheme, from St Nicolas Lane to Park Avenue, connecting into the Middle Road corridor. This would aim to avoid areas where on-street parking loss would be contentious.

While campaigners at Shoreham-By-Cycle felt the changes proposed to Middle Road and surrounding streets and crossings over USR ‘sound positive’ they believe there is a sustained lack of ambition for Upper Shoreham Road ‘suggesting further procrastination may be occurring’.

Further setback and still more consultation, to be conducted after the completion and assessment of phase one ‘is starting to look like an unacceptable delay in response to clear instruction from central government to be bold with such projects’.

Before the announcement, the Herald spoke to Clive Andrews, from Shoreham-By-Cycle, who talked about what he sees as the benefits of a potential USR scheme and encouraged people to get involved in a positive discussion so improvements could be delivered that work for not only cyclists but pedestrians and motorists as well.

Pointing to the consultation responses last year, he says on the surface there were equal levels of support and opposition, but many of the objections were addressed in detail by experts in the appendices.

Guidance from the Department for Transport is not to treat consultations as referendums, with objections dealt with on merit not quantity.

Clive also believes comments from schools should have carried more weight.

Given the width of the road, he and others believe segregated cycle lanes can be delivered on either side of USR by taking away the central reservations and hatching leaving plenty of space for motorists, along with parking on alternative sides of the road where it is needed.

This would mean residents and visitors are still able to park near their homes if they are unable to use their driveways but just not in 100 per cent of locations.

When it comes to concerns about visibility when pulling in and out of driveways, Clive suggests this would actually be improved if cycle lanes were installed due to reduced parking and slower vehicle speeds. He explained: “If you take away the central reservation and narrow the road then speeds will come down.”

Although USR is a distributor road, its current design means it still feels like a trunk road and the proposed changes would change the feel of it, but keep the capacity for traffic the same.

And when it comes to pedestrians, Clive believes this would also be greatly improved with more official crossing points, narrower junction mouths, reduced vehicle speeds and fewer cyclists using the pavements.

Although they support improvements for cyclists in other parts of Shoreham such as Middle Road and the A259, the group sees USR as an ‘open goal’.

Not only are there a number of schools just off it, but it is a key route connecting residents to the town centre, railway station and river.

While Clive understand people’s perceptions may be negative, he is asking people to look closely at what could be on offer, adding: “This could enhance the road for everyone.”

He says the option is there ‘but we need our politicians and leaders to actually lead’.

Speaking directly to people who might have previously objected, he said: “Let’s have the conversation about how can we make this road work for everyone. Let’s talk about the detail rather than ‘yes or no’.”

While a number of cyclists do use Upper Shoreham Road, these tended to be more experienced and older, but with purpose built lanes would open up the opportunity for more people such as beginners and those with less confidence to get on their bikes.

Clive said: “It is being used but to nowhere near its potential.”

And while he acknowledged the flaws in the temporary scheme, they were told by a number of parents it had meant riding bikes to school.

Away from USR, the group has other focuses from addressing bike thefts, by collecting data and talking to Adur District Council about better and safer bike racks, and assessing the cycling facilities needed for residents moving into new homes.

While some trips will still require a vehicle, if more people can cycle then it will free up road space for people who have to make car journeys and reduce congestion and air pollution.

Clive said: “If you make a short journey in Shoreham you should have choices.”