Transformed space in heart of Worthing officially unveiled

A transformed space in the heart of Worthing town centre was officially unveiled at a celebration event last week.
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Portland Road is now a vibrant and welcoming public space which encourages people to visit, with comfortable seating areas, improved lighting, extra cycle racks and landscape planting.

The development has been managed by Worthing Borough Council but funded by West Sussex County Council and Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. Project Centre designed and led the project scheme, with the build by local contractor Landbuild Ltd.

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Mayor of Worthing Henna Chowdhury marked the official opening on Friday (August 5), with a host of activities also held throughout the day.

Improvements to Portland  Road in Worthing are officially unveiledImprovements to Portland  Road in Worthing are officially unveiled
Improvements to Portland Road in Worthing are officially unveiled

She said: “The new-look Portland Road is the result of a huge amount of hard work to make it a lively and welcoming area in the town centre for the benefit of everyone - whether they are business owners, shoppers, residents or visitors.”

Local businesses are planning a ‘Sundowners Portland Party’ at the end of September to further celebrate the new scheme and welcome visitors to Worthing’s newest destination.

Steve Waight, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for support services and economic development, said: “These are exciting times for Worthing town centre and it’s great to see the conclusion of this important public realm scheme: it looks superb and represents a significant investment in the town’s future, both for local businesses to benefit as they recover from the pandemic and for the public to enjoy a renewed and welcoming quarter in Worthing.

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“The Portland Road scheme has been delivered as part of the Worthing Growth Deal partnership between the county council and borough council.

Transformed Portland Road in WorthingTransformed Portland Road in Worthing
Transformed Portland Road in Worthing

“The deal is a joint partnership programme of regeneration to bolster local economic growth and includes rejuvenating public spaces in Worthing. This includes the recently-completed Montague Place temporary scheme - with the permanent, new look to be developed with residents and traders ­- and the Railway Approach scheme, where preparations are underway.”

Kevin Jenkins, leader of the Worthing Conservative group at WBC, added: “This scheme was started in the planning stages some four years ago after a public consultation that identified the type of improvements people would like to see in the town and that Portland Road was a well trodden route into town centre.”