Residents deem A27 cycle path too ‘dangerous’

ANGRY cyclists have asked the Highways Agency to re-route a new cycle/pedestrian path that leads them onto a busy A27 roundabout.
LH 060315 Two residents who cycle are not happy with the new cycle/pedestrian rout, Old Shoreham Road , Lancing. L to R Mike Croker, Anthony Cartmell and Sally Jordan.  Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150603-174232001LH 060315 Two residents who cycle are not happy with the new cycle/pedestrian rout, Old Shoreham Road , Lancing. L to R Mike Croker, Anthony Cartmell and Sally Jordan.  Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150603-174232001
LH 060315 Two residents who cycle are not happy with the new cycle/pedestrian rout, Old Shoreham Road , Lancing. L to R Mike Croker, Anthony Cartmell and Sally Jordan. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150603-174232001

Sally Jordan, of St James Avenue, North Lancing, has been cycling the same route to work for the last 20 years. However, since the Highways Agency introduced the new path along the A27 last year, her journey from Lancing to Shoreham has become a ‘frustrating’ ordeal.

“I’ve been doing this route for years, but now to access the path legally, I have to negotiate the Lancing Manor roundabout,” said the 49-year-old.

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Mrs Jordan said she first noticed the path in November, 2014, and spotted a signpost by the roundabout that read ‘cyclists rejoin carriageway’.

“So if you’re cycling from Lancing to Shoreham you are directed back onto the A27,” she added.

The route was planned by the Highways Agency in consultation with Sussex Police, West Sussex County Council, Worthing Cycle Forum and Sustrans. The construction work and continued maintenance was contracted to Balfour Beatty.

The new cycle/pedestrian path runs from Old Shoreham Road by Impulse Leisure in Lancing and along to the Lancing College traffic lights by Shoreham Airport.

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Sompting resident Anthony Cartmell, 47, of Greentrees Crescent, is a member of Worthing Cycle Forum and said the route was ‘downright dangerous’.

“I was going to Shoreham Airport with my two children, but we he had to ride illegally on the pathway to avoid the roundabout,” he said.

Mr Cartmell said the Worthing Cycle Forum suggested the idea of a new cycle/pedestrian path to the Highways Agency in 2011, but had heard nothing more.

“There was no consultations,” he said. “They are expecting people to take on one of the most busy roundabouts in the area.”

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A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said it was ‘aware’ of residents’ concerns. “We will continue to monitor the situation and we aim to include improvement works to the roundabout in future plans,” the agency said.