News

A281/ Downslink disappointment

Disappointing news from WSCC.   A bridge over the A281 is everyone’s favoured way to avoid conflict between road traffic and walkers, cyclists, and equestrians on the Downslink.   But. ….. the costs are prohibitive.  The bridge would cost £2M and a Pegasus Crossing would cost £1M.    The £2m required for a bridge is approximately a third of the entire annual capital improvements grant funding WSCC receives for all local highway improvements.

WSCC Level 0 status to be assessed in early 2024.

WSCC had hoped that Active Travel England (ATE)  would have re-assessed their status before now.  Currently it is Level 0.   A successful assessment would raise that to Level 1- at which point WSCC would be able to bid for money from, or approved by, ATE.   Our information is that that was hoped for in the autumn of 2023.   However, it is now to be in the last quarter of the council year 2023/2024.  

WSCF responds to Active Travel Strategy 2023-2036 consultation

WSCC has revised its Walking and Cycling Strategy and renamed it The Active Travel Strategy 2023-2036.  It is out for consultation and the WSCF has responded.  The WSCF response is below as an attachment.

Bognor - Littlehampton upgrade

We reported in News (28 March) that comments were being sought to improve the scheme.   Now it's NOT good news.   Instead of some good Active Travel measures, all that has gone and instead the A259 is being prioritised as a relief road for the A27 and traffic flow is the primary purpose.    Why and how come?   Because the current Prime Minister, no doubt influenced by the right wing of the Tory Party, favours the private car.   Millions of £££ have been taken away from Active Travel England (ATE) meaning that ATE has had to revew its priorities in order to survive.

The £29.5million Angmering and Littlehampton road scheme on the A259 is officially open

The £29.5million Angmering and Littlehampton road scheme on the A259 was officially opened on Thursday, 13 July.   This from the WSCC press release - 

Comments sought on Bognor-Littlehampton improvements

WSCC is seeking comments on this route - please see https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/a259.    There are a good number of Active Travel considerations and its clear that much thought has gone into them.  Please respond to the request for comments if you can.

WSCC make valiant effort to regain Level 1 status with Active Travel England.

Active Travel England (ATE) has established five levels (0-4) of excellence that will be used when assessing award money under the phases of the Active Travel Fund.    Currently Phase 4 is being awarded.  WSCC self assessed as Level 1.  ATE downgraded that to Level 0.  A meeting on March 29 2023 between WSCC and ATE will see both organisations discussing whether it is possible to get back to Level 1 and if so then how.   There are 4 LAs on Level 0 - Rutland, Worcestershire, Leicestershire and West Sussex.    No one is Level 4.  There are 4 on Level 3.  There are 79 LAs.

WSCC response to ATE Questionnaire published

 

Improvements for cyclists and pedestrians on the A259 between Bognor Regis and Chichester.

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/improvements-ahead-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-bus-passengers-on-a259/.   Construction starts soon on a package of Active Travel improvements for cyclists and pedestrians on the A259, between Bognor Regis and Chichester.   This is good news.  When consulted, the WSCF suppported it.   Update - this was completed in February 2023 - a very good job.

 

Active Travel England asked all of England’s councils to assess their ability to deliver on all things Active Travel against a new set of criteria.

Active Travel England has asked all of England’s councils to assess their ability to deliver against a new set of criteria.   You can read the full details via this link - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/active-travel-england_local-authority-capability-and-ambition-self-assessment-activity-6961244425234624512-V3hM?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web

 

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