Calls for safe walking and cycle route between Arundel and Ford

An open letter, to West Sussex County Council leader Paul Marshall and Arun District Council leader James Walsh, has been signed by more than 50 councillors and dignitaries, including the mayor of Arundel, local MP Andrew Griffith and his predecessor Nick Herbert, now Lord Herbert.

It follows a report from Arundel Town Council that showed, despite most residents expecting a new pathway to be built when the A27 bypass is eventually resolved, no such plans existed.

Andy Batty, chairman of the Arundel Cycle and Walking Group, said: “Not only have elected representatives joined in support the campaign for a cycle and walking route along Ford Road, a total of 56 community leaders have also now signed an open letter, including his grace the Duke of Norfolk.

“The fact that so many have come together in support of one scheme is an incredible feat of unity.”

There is no secondary school in Arundel and some 300 teenagers commute to school, many using the train from Ford. Parents worried for the safety of their children resort to driving them to the station or all the way to school – up to 760 car journeys each year. Campaigners say most of these could be replaced by bike rides if a safe passage to Ford station was made possible. The busy Ford Road, without pavements or lighting, links Arundel with Littlehampton and Bognor Regis, and a host of smaller hamlets.

And it could get busier still, with plans for 2,000 new homes being discussed.

Campaigners say while there is a plan to build new schools near Yapton, there are no plans to provide safe cycling and walking passage for pedestrians and cyclists north of Ford station.

Mr Batty said: “They are about to build £500million of houses but have not thought through the green infrastructure that residents will need to get around other than by car.”

Two years ago, the National Cycle Route 2 opened between Flansham and Climping along the A259, which has connected Bognor with Littlehampton.

Usage of the cycle route is growing and campaigners want to connect the route to Arundel, via Ford station, to increase the number of people using the whole network, benefiting the environment, people’s wellbeing and safety.

Campaigners accept the scheme would not be cheap but believe now is the time act, with funding hopefully available from several different sources. They say in their letter: “We believe this is a key test of whether local authorities are prepared to work collaboratively to deliver practical improvements for the people whom they represent.”

Mr Batty said an online meeting on Thursday was well-attended by elected officials who represent Arundel across all tiers of government. He also paid tribute to Arundel & South Downs MP Mr Griffith. “When we first presented the results of the Arundel resident consultations, conducted at the end of 2019, he immediately recognised that our community had come together to agree our priorities and immediately offered his full support to help us realise those dreams,” Mr Batty said.

The group is keen for as many people as possible to give their backing to the campaign. An online petition has been launched in support and can be found at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/fordpath