FAQs
Why is the scheme required?
The West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 (opens in new window) sets out an ambition to deliver sustainable transport improvements across the county, increasing connectivity and improving access to services and employment opportunities. Adur & Worthing Councils have also developed a Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) that aims to improve the cycle network across the area.
At present, cycling facilities across Lancing and Sompting are limited, with a National Cycle Network route 2 (NCN2) along the seafront and a local cycleway along the A27 towards Shoreham in the north. This means there are few facilities within Lancing and Sompting for cyclists. Together with a road network that is heavily congested, it can be an intimidating environment for cyclists and pedestrians, creating safety concerns and reducing the attractiveness of these modes.
The proposed scheme would help address the above-outlined issues by delivering improved walking and cycling facilities along three separate potential routes. Two of the routes would improve north-south connectivity between the A27 and the seafront, and the east-west route would improve connections between Worthing and eastern areas of Lancing.
How much will the scheme cost and how is it being funded?
At this early stage of design, a detailed costing exercise has not yet been undertaken, however we expect the scheme costs to be in line with similar cycle schemes being delivered around the country. To be successful, the schemes would need to demonstrate good value for money and are subject to the development of business cases.
An external funding stream would be used to deliver the proposals. This includes developer contributions and central Government grants that are intended for active travel schemes.
Congestion is more of an issue in the area, why are you not improving this first?
The West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 (opens in new window) 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 that is off the carriageway, we aim to encourage more people to cycle within Lancing and Sompting, particularly those people that are less confident cyclists. The routes would provide connections towards a number of key destinations within Lancing and Sompting and beyond, including schools, employment, retail and leisure destinations, as well as Lancing train station. The scheme would therefore make it easier for people to walk or cycle to these destinations, and more widely across Lancing and Sompting, rather than using their vehicles.
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 guidance has informed our proposals and the scheme largely consists of two-way cycle lanes, separated from the carriageway and footway by kerbs, with a minimum width of 2.5m.
However, there are some sections where it has not been possible to provide this standard of provision due to the limited availability of highway space. In these sections we have provided shared use paths or advisory cycle lanes, including along sections of the east-west corridor (Green Route) through West Street, and on the Western Road corridor (Red Route) over the railway bridge. At the southern end of the A2025 Grinstead Lane corridor (Orange Route) in A2025 South Street, where there are no dedicated cycle facilities, we have also proposed to convert the road to a 20mph zone, marked by gateways, which will help improve the safety for those cycling and walking.
We believe this scheme best balances the needs of all road users but would like to receive feedback from a range of users to help develop the scheme.
I live along one of the proposed routes. Will I still be able to access my driveway?
Yes, existing access to driveways will be maintained via dropped kerbs.
Can the scheme extend across the A27 to provide a connection to North Lancing?
There is an opportunity to provide an onward connection for both the Red Route and Orange Route to the north of the A27. However, this is subject to future National Highways proposals for the A27 in the area.
Are you considering any bus priority measures/improvements to services?
As part of the scheme, we are proposing to relocate some bus stops and position others on paved area ‘build outs’ to accommodate the new cycle facilities.
The County Council is also developing plans for bus service improvements and in December 2021 we published our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). This set out the ways in which we can improve bus services within West Sussex and increase the number of journeys made on buses after a decline during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Department for Transport has provisionally awarded West Sussex County Council up to £17.4 million of this BSIP funding. We are now looking to see how we can best spend this money on delivering the key elements of the plan.
I can’t attend the in-person event but I want to speak to a member of the project team, what should I do?
We are holding an online event on Wednesday 22 February, between 7pm and 8pm. This will be held on Teams – to register, please email STIPActivetravel@westsussex.gov.uk
We are also holding in-person events for the A259 Shoreham to Brighton & Hove scheme (opens in new window) on Wednesday 1 February at the Swiss Gardens Primary School, Shoreham, from 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and on Monday 6 February at Southwick Community Centre, Southwick from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Although primarily focused on the proposals for the A259 Shoreham to Brighton members of the team would be happy to discuss and answer any questions on the Lancing and Sompting proposals at these events.
Alternatively, you can either email any comments or questions to the team at STIPActivetravel@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.
If the scheme is to go ahead, will there be road closures during construction?
Before any construction on the scheme starts, a Construction Management Plan will be published 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.
Does the scheme require any land take / is my property at risk?
At this stage it is anticipated that the majority of the construction works can take place within the existing highway boundary or land owned by West Sussex County Council. However, some non-highway land would be required along the eastern edge of Brooklands Park; to the east of North Road, to the south of Crabtree Lane and to the north of West Street.We are in dialogue with the impacted landowners to develop these aspects of the proposals.
When would you expect the schemes to be built?
Future progression of the schemes 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.
Are you expecting to deliver all three of the routes?
If insufficient funding is available to construct all three schemes, then it may be the case that a priority route needs to be identified for delivery. A question is included within the consultation survey about which of the routes are considered to be most important, and this information will be used to inform next steps for the schemes.
What are the next steps?
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 proposals. We will document the process and publish the results in a consultation report.