Seafront plans for town cyclists

Councillors have supported in principle the creation of a cycle lane between Gloucester Road and Outram Road in Felpham. It would be reached through the existing slipways.

The 800m-long promenade passes the Butlins frontage, a public car park and the Longbrook public open space.

Public consultation about the proposal is likely to be held later this year. If the response is positive, it will be the first time cyclists have been given the authority to mix with bathers and pedestrians along the promenade.

An Arun District Council bylaw forbids cycling there. Signs and surface markings reinforce the ban, though some cyclists still use the fast and convenient route.

Among them is Felpham company director Luke Luleu. He frequently bikes from home to his property firm's offices in North Bersted.

He greeted the prospect of a promenade cycle lane with enthusiasm. 'It is an absolutely fantastic idea and about time,' he stated.

'It will be much safer that people can cycle along the promenade than have to use the roads and encounter all the traffic.

'You are literally taking your life into your own hands. A lot of motorists just have no regard for cyclists. They are just determined to overtake you even if they're not getting anywhere.

'I can't see why you can't cycle along most of the promenade. If you are sensible about it, and careful, and look out for pedestrians, then it has to be a safer option than using the roads.'

But frequent seafront walker Mike Hemmings, also from Felpham, said he could see some problems at the Felpham end of the proposed cycle route. 'There are bound to be some accidents there because it is so narrow.

'You don't get a lot of gentle cyclists along here,' he commented. 'You get tearaways along here on their bikes. A lot of the people who walk up and down here throughout the year tend to be pensioners, like me, and we can't get out of their way quick enough.'

However, he said he was happy with the thought of the cycle path along the Butlins frontage because of its width.

The possible creation of the cycle path is seen as a way to encourage cycling by adding to the existing network of cycle-only paths around Bognor. West Sussex County Council has a target to increase cycling levels around Bognor by two per cent a year for the next decade.

Initial plans for the cycle lane show it on the southern side of the promenade. This takes away the need to move benches and bins, even though it puts the cyclists next to beach-users. But this could be changed.

The 10,000 scheme will have to be developed jointly. West Sussex County Council is the highways authority responsible for roads and pavements. Arun District Council is in charge of the promenade.

Darryl Hemmings, a county highways officer, stated in a report to councillors: 'As cycling is currently prohibited on the promenade, it is proposed that cycling is introduced to a short section to give users of the promenade time to adjust to the new arrangements.

'Cyclists will also be clearly directed off the promenade reducing the number of cyclists that continue on it in error.

It was expected usage of any new promenade cycle lane would peak in the morning and evening main travel hours and add 100 cyclists a day to the current number, he added.