Bognor Regis Esplanade Public Realm Improvements

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The public realm works along Bognor Regis Esplanade are part of the wider Arun Growth Programme, which is the mechanism for delivering Arun Growth Deal. The Growth Deal was signed in 2018, as a joint, five-year commitment between Arun District Council (ADC) and West Sussex County Council (WSCC). The councils work together to decide priorities for the area and pool resources to deliver sustainable economic growth in the area. The deal provides opportunities to attract funding, build new homes and infrastructure, and generate employment.

The Growth Deal will be refreshed during 2025 to ensure it continues to best serve population needs in Arun. It is important to note that live projects from the initial growth deal, including this project, will continue until completion.

The Esplanade public realm improvements, which extends from Lennox Street to Clarence Road, will deliver:

• Improved pedestrian and disabled access between the Esplanade and the seafront, including an additional crossing facility on the west side of the project
• A walkway between parked cars and the sea wall
• A decrease to the speed limit to 20mph and new traffic calming features to improve safety
• Increased number of plants
• Additional seating and litter bin.

On the 23rd May 2024, WSCC published a Key Decision approving detailed design and the commencement of the procurement process, and allocating £1.369 million of capital funds to the project's delivery. Please click the link (opens in a new tab) to view the Key Decision. Landbuild Ltd have now been appointed as the contractor for these works which was also published in a Key Decision (opens in a new tab). To read more about the works in our press release, please click the link (opens in a new tab). The works commenced on 4th November 2024 and are due to complete in early April 2025.

These works are a fundamental part of the town’s seafront regeneration plans to create an exciting and vibrant visitor destination. The wider vision for this area includes the adjacent Place St Maur (opens in a new tab). completed project and the renovation of Alexander Theatre (opens in a new tab), Bognor Regis Arcade regeneration (opens in new tab), the future development of the former Brewers Fayre site and the future Premier Inn (opens in new tab). A visual of the wider seafront regeneration is available at the bottom right hand side of your screen.

Outline of Plans

The image below shows three focus areas from the scheme - each box outlined has a respective artist impression below. For context, a before and after image has been provided of each view point.

Overview:

Location 1:

A raised crossing will be introduced to slow traffic and rain gardens will be introduced to improve drainage.Location 2:

Rain gardens will be introduced to improve drainage and a footway will be introduced between cars parking on the south side of the road and the sea wall to improve pedestrian safety.

The central crossing will host a raised table to slow traffic and improve safety for pedestrians.

Location 3:

More rain gardens will be introduced to improve drainage and the highway will be resurfaced across the whole project.

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Weekly Updates from Landbuild

Last updated 31st March 2025

Thank you for your patience during the works. The carriageway works have been fully completed, and as a result, the full closure on Clarence Road has been removed.

The implemented traffic calming measures are functioning effectively, enhancing road safety and accessibility. Additionally, parking spaces on the southern side have been reconfigured to provide more room, allowing pedestrians to navigate around vehicles with greater ease.

Works completed:

• Full carriageway resurfacing and associated works.
• Removal of the full road closure at Clarence Road.
• Installation of traffic calming measures.
• Reconfiguration of parking spaces to improve pedestrian movement.
• Completed planting works that have enhanced the overall look of the area and improved drainage.

Outstanding works:

• Final site tidying and a few final areas of resurfacing scheduled for completion this week.
• Completion of the coping brick installation. The new rounded-edge design will enhance the overall aesthetic and durability.
• Temporary barriers will remain on the Southern side of the Regis crossing for the next couple of weeks due to long lead in times for the replacement.

The final touches will soon be in place, ensuring the project delivers its full benefits to the community. The improvements made will contribute to a safer, more accessible and user-friendly environment for pedestrians and motorists alike.

We remain committed to ensuring the works are carried out safely and with minimal disruption. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Alternate formats and accessibility

If you require any of the information for this project in an alternative format, please contact us on 01243 777100 or email WestSussexOPE@westsussex.gov.uk. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 01243 777100.

Please note, you can use the Google Translate function to access this project in a range of different languages. The Google Translate widget can be found at the top left-hand side of the project page, where it sits just above the black West Sussex County Council ribbon.