Must do better with cycle lane

As a Fishbourne resident living on the A259 I have recently ditched the car entirely in favour of active travelling by bicycle, so I was furious to read the feasibility study for the Chichester to Emsworth road produced for Highways England.

Local people have been lobbying for a safe cycle route for years but this study has failed to grasp what is needed.

At my front door the study proposes a two-way cycle path shared with pedestrians on a 2.5 metre wide path where traffic is whizzing by, usually at over 30 miles per hour. There is no mention of any physical barriers between the motorised vehicles and those on the path.

I already frequently dodge bike riders on the footpath who are afraid to ride along the road as I emerge from my gateway. This is a recipe for disaster, collisions will be inevitable and pedestrians or cyclists are likely to spill into the path of passing traffic.

It gets worse when you look at the proposed line of the route. The main objective should surely be to provide a safe, segregated cycling route that could be used by commuters, school children, and recreational bike riders.

What is proposed may possibly suit young families going to school but I see no other group of bike users that would entertain all the detours being suggested in Emsworth and Fishbourne.

My conclusion is that it was never the intention to plan a direct cycle route in this feasibility study. As proposed it is a waste of time, money and energy. If they are not going to create a safe, separated cycle track on the A259 then a route closer to that of the railway line between Emsworth and Chichester would be a far more suitable option.

It’s time to stop politely grovelling for crumbs of hope about improvements, we must make demands and demonstrate to cause mayhem. Cyclists, walkers and motorists deserve better to save lives and the planet. We need to think big and not allow this to be kicked into the long grass any longer. GABRIELLE ADAMS Main Road, Fishbourne