Plans for pop-up cycle lanes welcomed by Adur and Worthing leaders

Adur and Worthing’s leaders have welcomed plans to roll out 7.5 kilometres of new safe cycle spaces as part of wider efforts to help the area bounce back from COVID-19.

With more and more people taking to two wheels during lockdown, Adur & Worthing Councils has worked closely with West Sussex County Council to identify a series of key routes which could be adapted quickly to support sustainable travel.

As part of the first phase, two routes have been submitted to the Department for Transport for funding and approval. These are:

• Shoreham & Southwick - Upper Shoreham Road, Holmbush roundabout and Old Shoreham Road, linking the River Adur and A283 in Shoreham to Brighton and Hove City Council’s pop-up lane (4.6km)
• Worthing - A24/A259 Grove Lodge area to The Steyne and seafront (2.9km)

Both routes are predominantly dual carriageways which have seen a substantial reduction in the number of motor vehicles since lockdown.

If the proposed temporary conversions receive government backing, they could be installed within a matter of weeks.

Leaders in Adur and Worthing welcomed the announcement from county hall but pledged they want to go even further - with both councils’ executives set to sign off on an ambitious Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan at a meeting of the Joint Strategic Committee next week (Tuesday, June 9).

This sets out detailed proposals to create a network of accessible routes across both areas so that walking and cycling becomes the preferred mode of travel for short journeys.

Cllr Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, said: “I’m delighted to have worked with colleagues at West Sussex to get to this point. Providing the routes receive government support, Adur residents will get nearly five kilometres of new cycleway within weeks. 

“We know the route will not be perfect but it will provide our residents with a safe place to cycle while giving all road users plenty of space as people start to return to work.”

Cllr Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “The benefits of cycling and other forms of sustainable transport are enormous - improving health, reducing air pollution and helping to create more vibrant, accessible places to live.

“While we are not directly responsible for highways, that doesn't prevent us having bold ambitions to create a network of safe cycling and walking routes across our borough. We will continue to work with colleagues at County Hall to deliver on this. 

“If these temporary routes prove popular then it could be a real turning point in delivering on our ambitious plans, which will be fantastic for residents, businesses and the environment.”

The proposed temporary routes in Shoreham and Worthing are two of seven schemes put forward to the government by the county council.

The schemes would involve a combination of temporary traffic management, such as cones and signing, light segregation using ‘traffic wands’, planters, water-filled barriers, road markings and temporary 20mph speed limits.

Cllr Roger Elkins, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, said: “We have been working closely with our district and borough partners to look at a whole host of ways we can improve cycling provision as a direct response to the easing of lockdown. 

“If the schemes get the go-ahead, they will form part of a series of measures which will make a real difference for cyclists in each of the county’s seven borough and district areas as the Government eases lockdown.”