FAQs

The transport network in this area is important and well-used by people travelling to schools, work and to access local services, recreation and rail services, but a high proportion of these journeys are currently made by private car which results in congestion. 

The quality of pedestrian facilities in the area is variable while there are only limited dedicated cycle facilities. Some bus stops in the area also lack facilities such as shelters and electronic real time displays. 

These issues limit the attractiveness of walking, cycling and using public transport. As part of our transport strategy for Worthing, the County Council aims to make these more attractive options for short trips and reduce congestion where possible through a series of improvements.

The West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 (opens in new window) sets out how the County Council is intending to address a number of challenges, including climate change, congestion, public health and road safety through improvements to the transport network.

The scheme would deliver parts of Worthing Borough Council's Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (opens in new window).

At this early stage of design, a detailed cost estimate has not yet been produced. However, we expect the cost to be in line with similar schemes being delivered around the country.

It is currently expected that the scheme would be funded using developer contributions and central Government grants that are intended for public transport and active travel schemes, alongside County Council funding. It will be necessary to demonstrate in a business case that the scheme is deliverable and would provide good value for money.   

Widening roads to make car use easier without also providing improvements to walking, cycling and public transport facilities would encourage more people to drive. The West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 (opens in new window) identifies the need for improvements to highways, public transport and active travel facilities to tackle congestion.  

The proposals include improvements to pedestrian, cycling and bus stop facilities through the area to make walking, cycling and using public transport more attractive, and to help reduce congestion. The proposals also include improvements at the A2032/Durrington Lane/The Boulevard roundabout that will increase traffic capacity to reduce delays at this key junction and help to accommodate planned development in Worthing.

The improvements would provide connections towards a number of key destinations including schools and colleges, employment, Durrington-on-Sea railway station, Worthing Leisure Centre, retail and leisure destinations, as well as serve new developments.

In order to accommodate the scheme proposals and ensure they can be used safely, it may be necessary to restrict on-road parking in some areas. The impacts of restricting on-road parking will be further assessed as the scheme is developed. The areas most likely to be affected are the eastern side of The Boulevard, and a short section at the eastern end of Trent Road.

The designs are being developed to be in accordance with the latest cycle design guidance (LTN 1/20). There are some areas where highway space is limited, so it may be necessary to introduce some sections of shared use path in order to provide continuous off-road cycle facilities in these areas. As part of the design process, surveys will be carried out to understand existing usage and road safety audits will be conducted to ensure the design can be used safely.

The cycle infrastructure is being designed in accordance with latest cycle design guidance which is based on best practise and takes account of the needs of all road users, including vulnerable pedestrians. By providing high quality facilities and taking the needs of all users into account, we expect that the scheme will operate safely. As part of the design process, surveys will be carried out to understand existing usage and the potential for conflict between users and road safety audits will be conducted to ensure the design can be used safely.

During the early engagement phase for this scheme in 2023, the Durrington to Goring proposal was presented alongside a proposal for the Worthing Town Centre to Grove Lodge/A24 corridor. Following the feedback received through this engagement exercise, including from Worthing Borough Council, it has been decided to prioritise taking forward the Durrington-Goring scheme to public consultation on feasibility designs for the scheme. Opportunities will be considered in the future to bring forward the A24 Broadwater Road scheme.  

Yes, existing access to driveways will be maintained via dropped kerbs.

The measures do not propose specific bus priority measures. However, there are opportunities to provide additional bus shelters and electronic real time bus displays along the route.

A key function of the scheme will be to ensure that any proposals developed would, where possible, link to existing facilities or use existing facilities to ensure continuity throughout the corridor.

At this stage it is anticipated that the majority of the construction works can take place within the existing highway boundary or on land owned by West Sussex County Council. However, some non- highway land would be required, including at the following locations:

• A small strip of land at the front of Durrington Health Centre on the corner of Columbia Drive and Durrington Lane owned by NHS Property Services;
• A small strip of land along Columbia Drive and Durrington Lane owned by Worthing Borough Council; and
• Some land through Worthing Leisure Centre owned by Worthing Borough Council.

We have made contact with the relevant organisations to make them aware of the proposals.  

We will carefully consider all comments received during the consultation. Feedback received will be used to inform the detailed design phase and the next steps for the proposals and will help to build the case for funding the schemes. We will document the process and publish the results in a consultation report.

The next steps for the scheme will be informed by the outcomes of this consultation. Further design and consultation would be needed before any schemes could be constructed. Construction would be subject to a business case, all relevant statutory processes (e.g. planning) and securing central Government funding for scheme delivery. It is therefore not possible to confirm a delivery timescale at this stage. However, it is likely to be several years before any construction could commence.

Before any construction on the scheme starts, a Construction Management Plan will be developed to minimise the impact on the local community as much as possible. This will detail any temporary road closures, along with changes to access for pedestrians and cyclists as well as diversion routes.

You can either email any comments or questions to the team at LTP@westsussex.gov.uk or you can telephone 01243 642105. If you are deaf and have the NGT app installed on your PC, laptop, or mobile phone, you can contact us on 18001 01243 642105.