TV coverage for cycleways
The on-going public outcry over the pop-up cycle lanes in Chichester became the subject of an ITV Meridian news report.
The on-going public outcry over the pop-up cycle lanes in towns across West Sussex – including Chichester and Worthing – this week became the subject of an ITV Meridian news report.
A journalist from the broadcaster, Chlöe Oliver, interviewed residents, cyclists, and the editorial director of this newspaper Gary Shipton for a special TV feature into the controversy.
In May, the Government gave £225m of taxpayers’ money to enable local councils to reallocate road space for walking and cycling.
The aims were to support the reopening of the economy, help build on active travel during the lockdown and reduce pressure on public transport.
West Sussex secured a £781,000 share of the cash for seven pop-up cycle lanes in Chichester, Bognor Regis, Worthing, Crawley, Shoreham, Horsham and East Grinstead.
But while any moves to boost the use of bicycles have been welcomed by cyclists, the loss of key car lanes in Chichester and Worthing has provoked outrage from motorists.
They have taken to the newspapers’ letter pages and social media to complain that the cycle routes are barely used and already congested town and city centres are now even worse – creating more pollution, frustration, damaging business and potentially causing hazards for emergency vehicles.
In his interview, Mr Shipton said the county council had been absolutely right to accept the government cash and explore the green option.
“During lockdown, the lack of traffic on the roads and the increase in the number of cyclists was really pleasing.
“If we are to progress the green agenda this is vital.
“But Chichester and Worthing have long been blighted by congestion, a failure of Highways England to deliver on the long-promised improvements to the A27 – and rather than take to their bikes residents chose car travel over public transport as we started to emerge.”
He said it was vital that the pop-up lanes were removed as quickly as possible and a constructive community discussion then took place as to how to establish proper cycle routes and green travel alternatives – but not at the expense of the already fragile road network.
“Having key road lanes empty and bollarded off most of the time and at enormous taxpayer expense at a time when we are trying to revitalise the local economy is totally unacceptable,” he said.
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