Changes made to temporary Shoreham cycle scheme

The proposed cycleway section east of the Holmbush roundabout, on the A270, Old Shoreham Road, has now been removed from the scheme.

The rest of the cycleway, proposed as part of emergency measures in the Covid-19 crisis, will be still go ahead.

West Sussex County Council said work is due to start next week commencing Monday August 31 (subject to factors, such as extreme weather).

Adur District Council supports the idea of a cycleway on the Old Shoreham Road but was not in favour of the proposed bus/cycle lane on the eastern section due to concerns about safety, congestion and access for businesses.

The changes will mean the dual carriageway between Holmbush and the Brighton and Hove boundary will be unaltered with both lanes remaining accessible to cars.

Provisions will also be made for businesses to use loading bays while the planned three metre wide lane on Upper Shoreham Road will be reduced to 1.5 metres.

Neil Parkin, leader at Adur, said: “I want to thank the leader of West Sussex for listening to local concerns about this cycle route.

“Due to the temporary nature of these routes and the speed they are being installed, we always knew that they would not be perfect. But what was initially presented would have had a negative impact on the wider community.

“These changes will hopefully improve things for cycling, giving people of all ages a safe place to travel on two wheels, but not be completely damaging for those who need to use their motor vehicles.”

Kevin Boram, who acts as Adur District Council’s cycling champion and is also a county councillor, added: “Our communities have made it clear that they are concerned about sustainability and the wider environment. That is why we have worked hard with residents and community groups to develop a Local Cycling and Walking Plan to highlight key routes which promote sustainable travel.

“I am delighted that West Sussex County Council has worked closely with Adur to deliver the first part of this plan under the government’s pop up cycle scheme.

“The impact of this route will be closely monitored so that this and other schemes can be further developed and improved in the future.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “Brighton and Hove City Council is considering a scheme that could link to ours, on the A270, as part of its tranche two bid to the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund. It therefore makes sense not to implement the eastern section on the A270 now but to consider it as part of tranche two, or further bidding rounds, working with Brighton and Hove City Council.

“It should be emphasised that there is no certainty the tranche two bids will be successful. However, if they are, and following further consultations with stakeholders, the potential is there to create a route along the A270 to Brighton city centre.”

The revised, illustrative map for the Shoreham temporary cycleway scheme will be published online.

As with all seven temporary cycleway schemes, adjustments will continue to be made, if necessary, before, during and after construction.

If it does not work it may be removed.

West Sussex County Council says it continues to work collaboratively with other stakeholders, including the emergency services, bus and utility companies.

During the Shoreham scheme, a utility company will also be carrying out essential work on the A270 and the county council will try to minimise the duration of the works as much as possible.

The Government is encouraging councils to create safe spaces to help sustainable travel, building on the significant increase in active travel seen during lockdown.

Once open, the Shoreham scheme will be closely monitored to see how well used it is and any positive or negative impact on congestion, safety and air quality.

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