Proposed walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure improvements

This engagement ran from Monday 20th March to Sunday 30th April 2023. The engagement report (opens in new window) has been published. Following the feedback received a public consultation (opens in new window) took place on feasibility designs for these corridor schemes in Autumn 2023. The original engagement webpage text has been retained below.

We are working to improve walking, cycling and public transport networks across West Sussex. By encouraging more walking and cycling, particularly for shorter journeys such as trips to education, and improving public transport, we can help to create safer, more pleasant places in which to live, work and do business.

Underpinning our approach to improving the transport network within the county is the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022 – 2036 (opens in new window). It sets out how the County Council intends to address a number of challenges, including climate change, congestion, public health and road safety. It also identifies priorities for the Chichester area.

Two potential improvement schemes in Chichester are being developed as part of our Strategic Transport Investment Programme (STIP). The schemes are:

• A286 Oaklands Way Cycle Scheme
• A285 Chichester to Tangmere Sustainable Transport Corridor

These schemes were identified as they have the potential to provide off-road cycle facilities on routes that connect key education, employment, public transport, services and development sites. The schemes also have the potential to support routes identified by Chichester District Council in the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (opens in new window). The A285 corridor scheme could also provide improved bus priority.

We’re now seeking initial views on the types of improvements needed in these locations. The comments we receive will help inform the development of more detailed proposals and enable us to seek future funding opportunities.

In response to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, the County Council introduced a temporary ‘pop-up’ cycle lane along the A286 between Northgate Gyratory and New Park Road roundabout. We have listened to the feedback received about that scheme and intend to develop solutions that respond to the concerns raised at that time.

Engagement and consultation

The purpose of this initial phase 1 engagement period is to raise awareness of the scheme proposals and provide the earliest opportunity to give feedback. The comments we receive will help identify key constraints, issues and opportunities that will be used to help shape the proposals. Subject to the feedback we receive, we hope to carry out a phase 2 consultation later this year.

We would like to hear your views on the proposed schemes, so please complete the questionnaire and provide your comments on the interactive maps.

The initial engagement period will close on Sunday 30 April 2023 at 23:59.

The proposals

A286 Oaklands Way Cycle Scheme

The ambition of the A286 Oaklands Way Cycle Scheme is to create a shared footway and cycleway scheme along the northern side of Oaklands Way, Chichester. The scheme proposes to provide suitable facilities for pedestrians and cyclists whilst taking into account the needs for all users including public transport users and motorists.

Two options are being considered:

• Option 1 consists of a shared use (i.e. walk/cycle) path on the northern side of the A286 Oaklands Way, from the pedestrian subway in the west, to the junction with College Lane in the east
• Option 2 consists of a shared use (i.e. walk/cycle) path on the northern side of A286 Oaklands Way, between the eastern end of the existing bus layby and the junction with College Lane.

Both options would be designed to integrate with existing and proposed walking and cycling networks, including the proposed pedestrian and cyclist crossing near Franklin Place. This would provide links to the walking and cycling routes to the north of the Festival Theatre car park and onwards towards the town centre and wider areas of Chichester, including the University campus and developments near Graylingwell Park.

A285 Chichester to Tangmere Sustainable Transport Corridor

The A285 Chichester to Tangmere Sustainable Transport Corridor would provide a continuous cycle route between Tangmere and Chichester East and changes to the junctions on A285 Westhampnett Road. The proposals include:

• Two-way segregated cycle lanes transitioning to areas of shared use paths where there are space constraints
• To the west, the scheme would start in the centre of Chichester on the A285 St Pancras, before leaving the road at St James’ Industrial Estate where it would continue off-carriageway, along the side of St. James industrial estate, and making use of the existing PROW (Public Right of Way) 3024 parallel to the Cemetery, then continuing across Church Road and through Portfield Retail Park, PROW 553 to reach A285 Portfield Way
• The route would then cross the A27 by Portfield Roundabout via a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge over the A27, and then continue alongside the A27 utilising PROW 553 until the Temple Bar Interchange
• Improvements to two existing mini roundabouts at Spitalfield Lane and St. James Road
• Bus priority measures on Westhampnett Road
• Raised tables at some side road junctions to reduce vehicle speeds and make it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road.

Have your say

We would like to hear your views on these proposed walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure improvements by completing our survey (opens in new window). The consultation is open until 23:59 on Sunday 30 April 2023.

Your feedback is important to us and will help shape the designs moving forward. Please take this opportunity to let us know what you think by completing our survey, which will only take approximately 10 minutes to complete. We also invite you to provide your comments on the A286 Oaklands Way interactive map (opens in new window) and A285 Westhampnett Road interactive map (opens in new window).