Worthing's cyclists join forces

Sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, has set up a Worthing group, which has already started planning a series of events to raise awareness and promote safer cycling in the town.

To launch the group, members cycled from Worthing to Shoreham, where they held a meeting to discuss future projects.

The group's first goal will be to encourage agreement to the extension of the seafront promenade cycle route westwards from Splash Point.

At present, cyclists can travel along most of the South Coast, using dedicated seafront routes, free from traffic.

Yet when they arrive in Worthing, they have to continue their journey on the main seafront road, as there is no dedicated promenade cycle route.

Proposals have been put forward to extend the route in the past, but have never made it past the planning stage.

Lead member for the Worthing Sustrans group, John Coote, said: "We are keen to extend the cycle route to the west as it will provide a safe route for all cyclists, away from the main road.

"There are many promenade cycle routes in the country, including busy Brighton, and they work well without incident."

He added: "We get a lot of Dutch and German tourists going along the coast from Dover to the West Country '“ they get to Worthing and the route stops."

It is hoped the proposed extension will link towns to the east, such as Brighton and beyond, to western towns, including Littlehampton and Arundel.

Anyone interested in joining the Worthing group should email [email protected]