Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the scheme required?
The Felpham Way Shared Path proposals would create a safe route between B2259 Felpham Way and Wroxham Way, providing improved access to Felpham Community College and Downview Primary School. Felpham Community College is due for expansion, and this will lead to a greater number of students attending the school (approximately 1000 additional students over the next three years). Due to the increase in pupil numbers, there is a desire to improve active travel options to the site to reduce the potential increase of private motorised vehicles associated with an increase in pupil numbers.
By encouraging more walking and cycling journeys, the proposals would help reduce congestion on our roads and contribute towards the delivery of a connected cycle link between South Downs National Park and Bognor Regis.
How much will the scheme cost and how is it being funded?
The scheme is currently estimated to cost circa £880,000 to build and would be funded through the Integrated Transport Block, which provides funding support to local authorities for transport capital improvement schemes worth less than £5 million.
Congestion is more of an issue in the area, why are you not improving this first?
The West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 identified the need for improvements to highways, public transport and active travel facilities to tackle congestion. The County Council and organisations such as National Highways are developing a range of improvements so that they can be delivered as funding opportunities arise.
By providing a safe space for cycling, much of which is off-road, we aim to encourage more people to walk or cycle to key destinations in the area – such as the schools and the leisure centre – rather than using their vehicles.
Upgrading the crossing will worsen congestion on B2259 Felpham Way
It is proposed to upgrade the existing Pelican Crossing to a Toucan Crossing with a new layout to enable cyclists and pedestrians to cross the B2259 in one stage with a central refuge for added protection. Its operation can be adjusted to facilitate traffic in peak times and minimise queues in coordination with the nearby Downview Traffic Signals junction.
This crossing would need to be upgraded within the next few years even if this scheme does not proceed, so this is an opportunity to bring forward an enhanced crossing facility for cyclists and pedestrians.
How do these proposals link with the planned new housing development?
A new housing development of 480 new homes is planned in Felpham, on the Bognor Regis Golf Club site. The Felpham Way proposals are not part of the housing development plans, but they do complement them. With the potential for more people moving to the area and with Felpham Community College due for expansion in the next three years, the upgrades to the crossing and path are particularly crucial in encouraging people to walk and cycle more on local journeys. This scheme also looks to fill a gap in the existing active travel corridor between the planned new housing development to the northeast of both schools and Bognor Town centre and seafront.
Are these options LTN 1/20 compliant?
The Government’s Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/20 (opens in new window) provides guidance and good practice to local authorities for the design of high-quality cycle infrastructure.
The crossing on B2259 Felpham Way, at the top of the existing footpath opposite Steepers Close, is being upgraded to ensure it is LTN 1/20 compliant. A new Toucan Crossing would provide a safe route onto the Felpham Way shared path for pedestrians and cyclists travelling along the existing cycle track and footpath on the B2259, as well as the footpath located to the south of the crossing between Felpham Way and Felpham Road.
The existing Felpham Way Footpath, which runs offroad from Wroxham Way to Drygrounds Lane is currently a narrow, unlit, pedestrian route. The footpath is being widened and converted into a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians. A shared path is being proposed due to the space constraints in the area, ensuring that the impact on the school playing field and existing grass verge is kept to a minimum.
How will you minimise the environmental impact of the scheme? You say that a number of trees and areas of vegetation will be removed, as well as areas of school playing field
The proposals include widening the existing Felpham Way Footpath and converting it into a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians. This would be achieved through a combination of taking a small parcel of land from the eastern edge of the Felpham Community College and Downview Primary School playing fields, as well as using some of the existing grass verges and vegetation areas on the pathway. Widening the footpath would require the trimming and removal of a number of existing trees mainly situated on school grounds, with these to be replaced where practicable.
The use of school playing field land will be kept to a minimum and is subject to WSCC making an application to the Department of Education to gain consent under Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
I live along one of the proposed routes. What impact will the new lighting have on me?
To make the path safer and more usable during hours of darkness it is proposed to install a series of new lighting columns along the route. The lights will be positioned and shielded away from properties as far as practicable. The final locations and hours of operation for the lights are yet to be fully determined and the feedback we receive during this consultation period will be taken into account when making these decisions.
If the scheme is to go ahead, will there be road closures or other disruption during construction?
Currently no road closures are envisaged, however there would be disruption to the use of the footpath. Advanced notice would be given of any such measures, along with changes to access for pedestrians and cyclists. As much as possible, we will look to carry out the work on the footpath during school holidays.
Does the scheme require any land take / is my property at risk?
Widening the existing footpath will require a small parcel of land from the eastern edge of the Felpham Community College and Downview Primary School playing fields, as well as using some of the existing grass verges and vegetation areas on the pathway. WSCC is already in discussion with the schools on this issue and will need to make an application to the Department of Education to gain consent under Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
What are the next steps? When would you expect the scheme to be built?
Depending on the outcome of this consultation period, WSCC hopes to make an application to the Department of Education to gain consent for the use of playing field land under Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 later in summer 2023.
After careful analysis of the feedback we receive during the consultation period, the scheme designs will be reviewed and updated. Subject to that feedback, we hope to carry out the Statutory Consultation for the upgraded Toucan Crossing on B2259 Felpham Way in summer 2023.
Scheme construction is dependent on the successful outcome of this consultation period, as well as gaining consent for the use of playing field land and gaining approval through the Statutory Consultation for the Toucan Crossing. Therefore, the dates for scheme procurement and construction are yet to be confirmed, but it is hoped that procurement would follow later in 2023, with construction taking place in 2024. This is subject to Department for Transport funding remaining available.
I can’t attend the in-person event, but I want to speak to a member of the project team. What should I do?
You can either email the team at Activetravel@westsussex.gov.uk or you can telephone 01243 642105 for further information or to leave details for a call-back if necessary.
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