Frequently Asked Questions
- Improved pedestrian safety through a formalised crossing point, reducing the risk of accidents in a busy area with historic collisions between vehicles and pedestrians.
- Safer routes to school for pupils and families, especially during peak travel times.
- Enhanced accessibility for all users, including vulnerable users, through upgraded footways and tactile paving.
- Support for active travel, encouraging walking and reducing reliance on cars and a reduction in carbon emissions.
- Stronger community connectivity, linking schools, shops, Worthing Station, and the town centre more safely and efficiently.
- Traffic management measures, temporary traffic signals will be in operation during the works, whilst this may cause potential delay in journey time, it is anticipated that the works will have minimal impact on motorists. Vehicle access will remain in place.
- Noise and activity from construction equipment and crews during working hours.
- Footway closures or diversions, with safe pedestrian routes maintained at all times.
Why is this work needed?
St Lawrence Avenue forms part of a key route for several local schools and experiences high volumes of pedestrian activity during peak hours. Pedestrian surveys undertaken in April 2025 recorded an average of 731 crossing movements per day, with no current formalised crossing point.
The proposed improvements are essential to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility, particularly for school pupils and local residents. The scheme will also support active travel, improve connectivity to key destinations, and address strong community support for safer crossing facilities.
What will be the benefits if the scheme goes ahead?
The key benefits of the scheme will include:
What will be the impact on parking?
The scheme will result in some loss of on-street parking near the proposed crossing to ensure clear visibility and safe access for pedestrians. This is a standard safety measure for Zebra crossings, which require a minimum distance free of parked vehicles on approach. However, the overall impact on parking availability is expected to be minimal and has been carefully considered during the final design to balance safety and local needs
Where can i see the plans?
The proposed designs are available to view on this engagement page.
Hard copies of the plans will be available to view at Worthing Library for the duration of the consultation.
What disruption can residents expect during construction of the crossing?
During construction, residents may experience the following temporary disruptions:
To minimise disruption, the works are planned to take place during school holiday periods only, and updates will be provided throughout the construction phase.
When will this work take place and how long will it take?
The scheduling of the proposed works is subject to the outcome from the formal “Traffic Notice” which will follow this consultation. However, we are currently proposing to deliver the scheme summer 2026, during school holiday periods to minimise disruption. The works are expected to take approximately 4 to 6 weeks, depending on weather conditions and site progress. Updates will be provided as the schedule is confirmed.
Why is the money not being spent on highway maintenance?
As an Active Travel scheme, this proposed work would be funded by central government capital funding and therefore it would have no impact on current carriageway maintenance budgets in West Sussex. Funding from Active Travel England is specifically allocated to schemes that improve walking, wheeling and cycling routes in England, and West Sussex County Council is not permitted to spend this money on maintenance measures such as pothole repairs. However, a section of carriageway resurfacing is proposed and the highway conditions around the scheme area will be assessed at the time of any works taking place, with any defects referred on to West Sussex County Council’s highway maintenance teams for repair.
How will this proposal impact on climate change?
The proposed project will support WSCC's climate pledge to reduce carbon emissions, by making active travel modes more attractive and thereby shifting journeys from modes of transport with higher carbon emissions.
Will access to nearby properties be affected while the work takes place?
Access to properties will be maintained throughout the duration of the proposed works.
How much will the scheme cost and who is paying for it?
The improvements are estimated to cost around £150,000. The construction costs of the scheme are being funded by Active Travel England, which is an executive agency set up by central government with responsibility for improving walking, wheeling and cycling routes in the UK.