West Sussex pop-up cycle routes ‘may be removed if they don’t work’

The controversial pop-up cycle routes which hundreds of residents have said are blighting town centres across West Sussex ‘may be removed’ if they do not work, the county council pledged today.
One of the pop-up cycle lanes causing havoc for motoristsOne of the pop-up cycle lanes causing havoc for motorists
One of the pop-up cycle lanes causing havoc for motorists

But not yet.

Motorists are set to endure many more months of the Government-funded scheme - which have removed car lanes, clogged up roads, while the cycle routes appear to be largely unused.

In a statement, the county council said: “The schemes will be closely monitored to see how well used they are and any positive or negative impacts on congestion, safety and air quality. Adjustments will be considered and, if any of them do not work, they may be removed.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While some cyclists and environmentalists have welcomed the scheme costing taxpayers an estimated £781,000, residents have taken to social media in their droves to condemn the ill-thought out project.

Chichester’s Government-funded pop-up cycleway is open, Worthing’s is nearing completion, work has started on Crawley’s, and now Shoreham’s and East Grinstead’s are due to begin week commencing Monday September 7.

Revised plans have also been published for the Horsham cycleway, with a start date to be confirmed as soon as possible.

A spokesman for the county council said: “The seven pop-up cycleways for West Sussex – funded by the Government – will create safe space for active travel and encourage people to cycle rather than use the car. They are an emergency response to increase travel options as part of the Government-led recovery plan from COVID-19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As an emergency response, the Government required the seven trial schemes to be planned and installed within three months. Given the timeframe, we consulted key partners including district and borough councils, emergency services and bus operators. Normally schemes of this nature would take years to develop and be subject to various stages of public consultation that might last two or more months and involve exhibitions, etc. This was not possible given the timescale limitations required.

“The cycleway routes are the result of collaborative work with the district and borough councils. Once fully installed and open, we will be encouraging would-be cyclists to experience the cycleways for themselves. This will be the chance for people to show how much they want the cycleway to stay.”

Chichester’s pop-up cycleway:

Chichester’s pop-up cycleway is now open. Roger Elkins, cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “It’s good to see the Chichester pop-up cycleway open and being used.

“I urge any would-be cyclist to consider leaving the car at home and try it for themselves. Parents might consider using part of the route for their journeys to school.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“An important part of assessing the cycleway’s success will be to monitor usage: these are trial schemes, so if people want it to stay, please use it.”

People can tell us what they think of the Chichester cycleway scheme using this online survey.

Worthing’s pop-up cycleway:

The Worthing pop-up cycleway scheme is nearing completion, with just the sections near Broadwater Green outstanding.

There is an issue on a short stretch of the northbound carriageway, alongside Broadwater Green, and caused by a few vehicles which have been parked there long-term. We have asked the owners to move these vehicles and we are looking into what action can be taken so we can complete the scheme.

Horsham’s revised scheme:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Horsham scheme has been revised following discussions with Horsham District Council.

A 0.9km protected cycle lane will be provided along Albion Way the A281/B2237 Horsham Ring Road by reallocating lane one of the north/eastbound carriageway.

The northbound-only route will start on Albion Way just north of the Sainsbury’s roundabout and end at Madeira Avenue.

A proposed start date for the scheme will be published as soon as possible.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.