Hold ups ‘would ease’ if new lay-by is built

CALLS have been made for a new bus lay-by to be built to ease traffic hold-ups expected to worsen when a 700-home development is built.
WH 030315 Cllr Sean Mcdonald calling for a new lay-by near Tesco store, Durrington to ease traffic congestion Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-150303-152407001WH 030315 Cllr Sean Mcdonald calling for a new lay-by near Tesco store, Durrington to ease traffic congestion Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-150303-152407001
WH 030315 Cllr Sean Mcdonald calling for a new lay-by near Tesco store, Durrington to ease traffic congestion Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-150303-152407001

Residents have complained to Worthing Borough Councillor Sean McDonald over problems caused by the lack of a lay-by on the east side of Romany Road, Durrington.

Buses pull into a lay-by on the opposite side of the road, outside Tesco, but block the opposite carriageway when stopping to drop off passengers.

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Mr McDonald said: “I am a local councillor but I am also a local resident and I totally agree that it is time we had a bus lay-by on the east side of the road.

“A new housing development is due to be built just to the north and this will increase traffic in the area.

“I know how important local buses are to the community so I would like West Sussex County Council to review this as soon as possible.”

The east side bus stop is around 50 metres south of the Tesco roundabout and as buses are every 10 minutes it causes regular hold ups for motorists.

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The West Durrington housing development, which will eventually see 700 dwellings built, will be located just north of the Tesco superstore.

Pressures from extra expected traffic on the town’s roads has been a concern for several councillors.

Mr McDonald said there is ample space for the lay-by to be built and has approached Durrington county councillor Trixie Hall in an attempt to progress the issue.

He said: “I have checked with Trixie Hall and she says that this area is crossed by underground cables and drains and there is a lamp post right by the bus stop, so the problem would be costs.”

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A county council spokesman said buses were originally supposed to drop passengers off in the Tesco complex but the chain blocked the proposal on safety grounds.

He said: “The reason there are not two lay-bys in New Road is because there is not enough space opposite the existing one. Although the grass area is deep enough the length is not there and it would encroach on the mini roundabout.

“The lay-by that is there has been used for a number of years and was installed well before the new store was built.

“Another lay-by would be a great idea but it’s not possible at the moment unless some more land is made available there.”

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