Worthing A24 cycle lane petition gets thousands of signatures

Two lanes of Broadwater Road have been cordoned off between the Grove Lodge roundabout and the town centre as part of a government drive to get people cycling during the coronavirus pandemic.

Installed by West Sussex County Council but funded directly by the Government, the lane will not be open to cyclists for several days.

While some have supported the move, many residents have called for the lanes to be scrapped – including Julia Reed, who started a change.org petition which had 5,000 signatures as of Monday (August 24).

The 54-year-old from Findon Valley said it had been described as ‘the final nail in the coffin for Worthing town centre’ and felt it was contrary to the Government’s desire to reignite the economy by hindering footfall into the high street.

She added: “This petition is not anti-cycle lanes, but just the size and location of this particular one and the congestion it is causing.

“It is also not against looking for a more sustainable future, but this has to be with the relevant discussions and not just an arbitrary decision made by councillors.”

Julia felt the plans had been devised based on people’s habits in the height of lockdown, when there was more time to cycle, and now that people were returning to work, the idea was outdated.

As the route included Worthing College and Bohunt School, Julia said the delayed journey times were sure to increase in September.

She also expressed concerns about ambulances getting past traffic, with the current situation being ‘utter madness’, she said.

In response, a West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “The temporary cycleways are part of the Government’s national Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF) initiative, which aims to create space for active travel and allow for people to cycle rather than use the car.

“The EATF is an emergency response to increasing travel options as part of the Government-led recovery plan from COVID-19.

“West Sussex County Council had to bid to the Government for funding under the EATF and the A24 scheme was agreed as a bid by the county council and Adur and Worthing Councils.

“The A24 scheme also features as a key route in Adur and Worthing Councils’ Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, which has been subject to local consultation and developed via community groups.

“Details of the bid and indicative routes were advertised via a press release, on social media and on the county council’s website.

“As an emergency response, the seven trial schemes in West Sussex had to be planned and installed within three months and this meant that consultation on the detail was limited and included emergency services, bus operators and the District and Borough Council. 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 simply not possible given the timescale limitations required by the Government.

“Once fully installed and open, we will be encouraging cyclists to experience the Worthing cycleway for themselves.

“It will be closely monitored to see how well used it is and any positive or negative impact on congestion, safety and air quality.

“As with the other six, trial schemes, adjustments will be considered and, if it does not work, it may be removed.

“When open, this will be the chance for cyclists to show how much they want the cycleway to stay: it will be a case of ‘please use it or risk losing it’.”