Work begins on long-awaited Titnore Lane footpath

Work has begun on a long-awaited footpath for Titnore Lane thanks to the dedication of a nearby resident.
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Barry Burks has spent the last three years campaigning to connect the current stretches of footpath along the busy road to make it safer for pedestrians after his wife Jean was almost hit by a car in 2016.

When it seemed unlikely West Sussex County Council would be able to afford the path, quoting a cost of £1.2million, the retired electrical design engineer drew up his own plans for a fraction of the price – and the council adopted it.

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On August 6, Barry, from Northbrook Cottages, received a letter from the contractor to say works would begin on August 18 and should be completed by mid-September. He said: “I was flabbergasted really. At the end of the day, it has been three odd years trying to get this so I couldn’t believe it when I got the letter.”

Work has begun on a footpath in Titnore Lane. Pictured left to right: Sean Mcdonald, West Sussex County Councillor; Karon and Lionel Harman, Mayoress and Mayor of Worthing Borough Council; Barry Burks, who instigated the works, and his wife Jean. Picture: Billie WilliamsWork has begun on a footpath in Titnore Lane. Pictured left to right: Sean Mcdonald, West Sussex County Councillor; Karon and Lionel Harman, Mayoress and Mayor of Worthing Borough Council; Barry Burks, who instigated the works, and his wife Jean. Picture: Billie Williams
Work has begun on a footpath in Titnore Lane. Pictured left to right: Sean Mcdonald, West Sussex County Councillor; Karon and Lionel Harman, Mayoress and Mayor of Worthing Borough Council; Barry Burks, who instigated the works, and his wife Jean. Picture: Billie Williams

The route will run adjacent to the Swallows Return pub, link to the entrance of the St Barnabas House hospice, continue north past the Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, through the adjacent recreation ground to the existing footpath by the play area.

Barry added: “I’m just glad for the general public that have a safe route.

“That’s what it was all about: getting a safe journey for all the students, residents, children, walking safely to the station or wherever rather than getting half killed down Titnore Lane.”

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He thanked county councillor Sean McDonald who backed his campaign, Mike Thomas of the West Sussex Highways Department, the county council, Worthing Borough Council and the Herald for getting the project going.

His next project, he said, would be to have the speed reduced down Titnore Lane and ban heavy goods vehicles from using it.