Plans for permanent cycle scheme in Shoreham to replace bike lane

The government-funded cycleway in Shoreham will be scrapped after a series of complaints regarding "loss of parking, safety and lack of consultation".

However, West Sussex County Council said the lane had received the highest number of positive comments of any of its emergency cycleway schemes across the area.

As a result, the authority said it is seeking to "progress a permanent cycleway scheme in Shoreham".

A cyclist usingn one of the temporary Covid bike lanes in West Sussex

The bike lane was introduced in Upper Shoreham Road over the summer in an attempt to  increase cycling and move people away from public transport during lockdown.

It was one of several pop-up lanes to be constructed across Sussex since March.

West Sussex County Council recently revealed that, following a large amount of negative feedback regarding congestion caused by the cycleways, it would be removing all temporary schemes in the area.

• READ MORE: Call to reverse decision to scrap Shoreham cycle lane

During a scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, the closure of the Shoreham bike lane was criticised by Kevin Boram, Conservative councillor for Shoreham South.

He pointed out that 2,300 cyclists have used the route during the first week in November alone, and called for a permanent scheme to replace it rather than the initial plans to scrap it.

Cllr Boram said: “We need to allow time to replace the scheme with a permanent scheme suitable for all forms of transport users to deliver the government’s, the county and [Adur’s] sustainability, health and wellbeing policies.

“It is time to deliver. Shoreham can.”

A pop-up cycle lane being installed in Sussex

However, West Sussex County Council updated its website yesterday to say the lane would still be removed, despite his pleas.

"The cabinet member for highways and infrastructure has approved the removal of the emergency active travel cycle scheme installed in Shoreham," the update said.

"The environment and communities scrutiny committee, on November 18 considered the call-in of the emergency active travel cycle scheme installed in Shoreham and asked the cabinet member for highways and infrastructure to reconsider his decision to remove the scheme.

"The cabinet member has carefully considered all of the available information, including the call-in reasons and the comments made at the committee meeting.

• READ MORE: Shoreham and Worthing among Sussex cycle lanes to be scrapped

"The cabinet member is also aware that the majority of comments received by the county council (via the online survey and correspondence) were opposed to the scheme due to loss of parking, safety and lack of consultation though he recognises that the positive comments have been the highest for any of the county’s emergency schemes.

"The scheme constituted significant changes to the highway but there was no time to undertake meaningful engagement with local stakeholders.

"The Department for Transport set out the funding criteria and the allocated funding on May 27, and bids had to be submitted by June 5 - eight working days later.

"This resulted in an absence of public engagement/feedback and compromises in terms of the design, assessment and impact criteria.

"As an emergency response to a unique set of circumstances the scheme has been a success, but the conditions on the network have now changed and public transport options restored. 

The cycle lane in Worthing

"The cabinet member has, therefore, confirmed his decision to remove the Shoreham emergency active travel cycle scheme.

"The date of removal will be confirmed in due course.

"The county council is looking to progress a permanent cycle way scheme in Shoreham given the support and enthusiasm shown for a scheme through the ‘pop-up’ cycle way process.

"Any scheme in the town would be redesigned to make sure it is suitable as a permanent scheme.

• READ MORE: Readers give their views on the West Sussex temporary cycle lanes

"If taken forward as a priority for the county council this would be subject to the Department for Transport agreeing additional investment as well as full and thorough consultation with the public and engagement with all relevant stakeholders.

"If agreed by the Department of Transport, this scheme would be added to the Tranche 2 cycle way work which will see permanent cycling improvements across the county."