Chichester's First Covid-19 Temporary Cycleway: Building Starts Soon

Thursday, 23 July 2020 14:23

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Temporary cycleway similar to that expected in Chichester soon (Photo: Chichester District Council)

Promises to turn hopes of better cycling and walking routes into reality are being fulfilled in Chichester.

According to West Sussex County Council, construction work should start on Monday (27 July) for the Chichester scheme intended to connect the Spitalfield Lane hospital area with the city's railway station.

The local authority says this should create a 1¼-mile-long "keyworker corridor" for safe cycling.

It's intended that the route will also link to the central retail area and other major employment sites, such as the University of Chichester.

Council Hall believes work should take about a fortnight, subject to factors such as severe weather.

Plans for the new cycleway include reallocating road space by segregating lane one of the dual-carriageway on the A286 Chichester Ring-Road, and widening the existing cycle lane on the busy gyratory.

A combination of thin, vertical traffic segregation devices (called 'wands', see above), temporary 20mph speed limits and road markings and signage will be used throughout.

Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journeys or, if possible, seek alternative routes while the works are ongoing as delays are likely.

West Sussex County Council apologised for any inconvenience caused during the works, adding that its contractor is expected to do all it can to minimise this as much as possible.

The second of the seven schemes to start will create cycle provision connecting the north and south of Worthing, from the A24/A259 Grove Lodge roundabout area to the town centre.

The local authority said the likely start date for this project will be announced soon.

The schemes, totalling about 13 miles of new and improved cycle lanes, were expected to provide improved travel choice for both residents and visitors.

They should also help to link commuting destinations in each of the county's borough and district areas as the Government eases lockdown in the COVID-19 crisis.

Vegetation clearance and "siding out" (widening back to full width) was carried out on the existing off-carriageway cycle track on the A259 Chichester to Bognor Regis route earlier this month.

Under government guidance from the Department for Transport on 23 May, councils were directed to introduce these measures.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said at the time:

"The Government therefore expects local authorities to make significant changes to their road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians.

"Such changes will help embed altered behaviours and demonstrate the positive effects of active travel...."