Plans to ‘accelerate’ Portland Road improvements

Multi-million pound plans to improve a key road in the centre of Worthing are due to be ‘accelerated’ with the borough council taking control of their delivery.
A previous illustration of how a transformed Portland Road could look likeA previous illustration of how a transformed Portland Road could look like
A previous illustration of how a transformed Portland Road could look like

The Adur and Worthing Growth Deal, signed in March 2017, identified up to eight public realm schemes aimed at supporting the regeneration of Worthing town centre.

Improvements in Portland Road were seen as an area that will aid future economic investment, while Railway Approach is also being prioritised.

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Earlier in the year officers from both the borough and county councils identified constraints that could delay works to Portland Road.

They considered how best to ‘accelerate’ these schemes given their importance to the town and have decided that Worthing Borough Council (WBC) will take the leading role in managing the project.

The project aims to pedestrianise the southern end of Portland Road, reduce clutter and improve accessibility as well as creating interest through the use of high-quality materials, planting, artwork and lighting.

An update is set to be discussed by WBC’s executive members next Tuesday (June 9).

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It is proposing to appoint Project Centre Consultants as technical advisors to project manage and supervise these works on behalf of WBC.

According to officers: “The delivery of Portland Road, and subsequent schemes thereafter, have been brought into sharp focus as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; because of the need to create safe streets and safe places.

“This project will support the longer term requirement to create safe pedestrianised areas where residents and visitors feel confident they can enjoy the space within a sound environment. Projects such as this will support the economic recovery and performance of Worthing town centre.”

The county council has already spent or committed £310,000 on design fees, with a further £90,000 planned to fund the next stage of detailed and engineering design.

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A total of £2.91million has been allocated for Portland Road in WSCC’s capital programme.

Meanwhile £697,000 has been secured by WBC from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.

Meanwhile early feasibility and technical studies have been carried out for Railway Approach led by WSCC in partnership with WBC.

Officers said this project will be accelerated alongside the proposed WBC-led Portland Road scheme.