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WSCC decides to remove all but one of the pop up lanes.

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 7 November 2020 - 12:36pm

All but one of the seven pop lanes are to be removed. These are in the so called Tranche 1 - £781,000.   The one scheme that remains is the already exisiting Chichester / Bognor route.  WSCC were awarded £185,000 and they have spent that on a bit of cutting back and a few white lines.  In other words - normal maintainence.  Roger Elkins has made the decision at the six week review period.  It seems that pressure came from people who disliked seeing bicycles taking their space, and not seeing 'enough cycles'.

WSCC removes its own cycle lanes in Chichester

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 26 October 2020 - 8:51pm

WSCC's Cabinet Member for Highways - Cllr Roger Elkins - has decided to remove the so called 'pop up' cycle lanes in Chichester.  This follows a review six weeks after the formal completion.  There was an increase in numbers of people cycling (albeit small), a lessening of pollution, no significant or sustained increase in vehicle congestion, and just one comment from the emergency services - all cut no ice with Mr Elkins.   And no notice taken of suggested improvements.  Instead he was swayed by some extremely noisy opposition from members of the public.

Highway Code consultation

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 2 October 2020 - 10:57am

The consultation on proposed changes to the Highway Code is open until 27 October 2020.    See https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders/summary-of-the-consultation-proposals-on-a-review-of-the-highway-code and https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/K736D5/.    There's also good guidance on the proposed changes on the Cycling UK website at https://www.cyclinguk.org/safer-highway-code-cyclists

 

 

The Seven EATF schemes are now complete

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 1 October 2020 - 4:48pm

The seven Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF) schems are now complete.  You can see them at https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/roadworks-and-projects/road-projects/pop-up-cycle-lanes/.  and fill in the feedback form - or you can email popupsurveys@westsussex.gov.uk

Downs Link - missing link - now open!

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 1 October 2020 - 3:42pm

September saw the opening of a previously disused section of the Downs Link on the old Guildford Railway Line behind Christ’s Hospital station. The upgrade – a long-term collaborative project between Christ’s Hospital School and West Sussex County Council – will mean that anyone using the Downs Link between Mill Lane and Christ’s Hospital Station will now be able to do so safely off-road. The works to the ‘missing’ 1.4km section of the Downs Link included repairing two bridges, vegetation clearance, surfacing, drainage and platform repairs.

ChEm Route alternative proposal published by CDCF and Bournes Forum

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 29 September 2020 - 10:42am

Highways England (HE), WSCC and CDC are discussing the HE feasibiity study for ChEmRoute.  Time is of the essence and HE is progressing rapidly - Adriana Chirovici has been appointed as the Project Manager for the scheme.   To both clarify the CDCF's position as well as offer an alternative vision, CDCF and the Bournes Forum have published an alternative document.

Half the Shoreham A270 scheme scrapped before work starts

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 25 August 2020 - 1:51pm

Half the scheme has been cancelled because of political pressure from the Leader of Adur District Council.  The stretch from the Holmbush roundabout to the Brighton border will not be built.   See https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/revised-shoreham-cycleway-scheme-work-s-set-to-start-soon/.      Most disappointing that it's political and not based on an assessment by WSCC engineers on the efficacy of the scheme..   

First of the COVID-19 schemes opens on August 21

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 19 August 2020 - 6:20pm

The first of the seven schemes in West Sussex that are funded by the Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF) - the one in Chichester - will be completed ready for opening on the 21st August.  It is a route that runs between the railway station and the hospital.   

WSCC bids for £4.7M of Government money for Tranche 2

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 17 August 2020 - 10:34am

A bid for £4.7million worth of improvements and initiatives for cyclists and pedestrians has been put forward to encourage active travel choices in West Sussex.   Tranche Two of the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund was submitted on Friday 7 August and includes projects for:   

Robust guidance for cycling infrastructure and unambiguous message from Boris Johnson

Submitted by Geoff Farrell on 31 July 2020 - 1:41pm

This is the Government notice - crucially including sentences that are deliberately worded and unambiguous.  No longer will Councils and HE be able to get away with shoddy or substandard schemes.    Let’s hope that the Government follows through with action, although it has a get out clause by calling this ‘guidance'.*****This email is to let you know that on 27 July the Department for Transport published revised national guidance for highway authorities and designers on cycle infrastructure design.

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