Latest proposals for ‘two-way cycle track’ between Emsworth and Chichester divide opinion

This comes despite some scepticism from residents after proposals were revealed to narrow a road in Emsworth, to make way for a ‘shared use pavement’, and to relocate a Southbourne bus stop, to allow a narrow pavement to be used as a two-way cycle-track.

The scheme, developed by Highways England in collaboration with West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council in June last year, would see a seven-mile long off-road route link Chichester and Emsworth.

Following virtual workshops earlier this month, residents were told by Highways England that the proposed improvement scheme ‘will provide safe route for both pedestrians and cyclists’.

Jeremy Board, founder of the Gina’s Cycle Path Group, said: “We predict that the new cycle path proposal from Highways England will prevent 147 injuries, ranging from slight to serious, in the next ten years.

“These are not just numbers, these are real people, our neighbours, friends, family, our loved ones who will be spared from injury, who will be protected for generations to come. We would ask everyone to please say yes to safety.”

However, the proposals have not won over everyone.

Andrew Gould, secretary of Chichester and District Cycle Forum, said representatives were ‘shocked to find’ that the plans, drawn up locally, for segregated continuous cycle lanes on both sides of the road, running all the way from the A27 underpass in Fishbourne to the roundabout in Emsworth, were rejected.