Cycling improvements proposed in Arun ‘disappointing’

The decision is set to result in miles of new or improved cycle lanes to promote cycling to enable sustainable travel choices on key commuting routes to relieve the pressures on public transport and as an alternative to the car.

One of West Sussex County Council’s schemes is for the A259 between Bognor Regis and Chichester, costing an estimated £185.000.

This will involve localised widening of the existing off-carriageway cycle track to enable social distancing on a busy commuter route.

There is potential to explore converting one lane of the western dual carriageway to a shared cycle and bus lane.

But the scope of the works has disappointed some.

Isabel Thurston, a Green district councillor, said: “We in Arun are extremely disappointed to be allocated a stretch of the A259 cycle path. The work includes cutting back vegetation, and this should be done in any case. We are hoping that more of our suggestions for the centres of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton will be taken up in the second round of funding.”

Roger Elkins, cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “This is excellent news and a testament to the hard work put in by our highways and transport officers to produce a successful submission to a tight deadline.

“The schemes 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.”

Design work on the schemes is ongoing and started as soon as the Government announced potential funding for this first phase of emergency measures to support active travel. Details could be subject to change up to and including the construction stage. Timescales for when the schemes have to be started are tight and written descriptions, maps and plans are all indicative and could change as scheme designs are more fully developed.

The seven schemes will involve a combination of temporary traffic management, such as cones and signing, light segregation using ‘traffic wands’, planters, water-filled barriers, road markings and temporary 20mph speed limits in some cases.

The £781,000 is not guaranteed and may be clawed back should schemes not be started within four weeks of the allocation and completed with a further eight weeks. The money is to fund the implementation, maintenance and monitoring of the schemes. They will be closely monitored to ensure they are having a positive impact on local travel.

Further details of a second tranche of potential funding are expected from the Department for Transport soon and would be for both temporary and permanent improvements to help the transport network.

Highway officers have been working closely with district and borough council partners to look at a whole host of ways to improve cycling provision as a direct response to the easing of lockdown.

Alongside schemes which would require central funding, the officers continue to work with these partners on other measures which could be introduced at minimal expense but add even more safe space for cyclists.

Geoff Farrell, chair of the WSCF, said: “A huge well done to WSCC for securing this money – not all councils did. The Districts and Boroughs now have a major part to play because they have developed schemes under their local cycling and walking plans.

“And because detailed local knowledge is critical to the delivery of effective schemes, the county’s cycle forums, already having made a big contribution to the development of these, look forward to continuing this collaboration with all local councils.”

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