Chichester’s temporary cycleway scheme to be removed
Each of the other trial pop-up cycleway schemes in West Sussex will be reviewed on a rolling basis in October and November.
The temporary cycleway in Chichester is being removed.
Government funding for the temporary cycleways was announced back in May.
According to West Sussex County Council, there was a "dramatic reduction" in vehicular traffic on the road during the national coronavirus lockdown, with a near 70 per cent reduction at one point and an up to 90 per cent reduction in bus and train usage.
The Government aimed to provide more space for people to safely walk and cycle during the pandemic.
When the funding was awarded and work got underway on the cycle lane, the country was just emerging from lockdown.
Social distancing meant more space was needed for walking and cycling to reduce pressure on public transport and to help people return to work and school.
However, schools have now returned and the Government is continuing to provide extra funding for local public transport, and so the popup cycle lanes are said to be "no longer needed for this purpose".
Roger Elkins, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said:
"It’s clear that while the cycleway did provide a safe route for cycling, the extraordinary circumstances during national lockdown that led to their introduction no longer exists.
"By removing the scheme we will return the network to its pre-pandemic state.
"I would like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to provide us with feedback and reassure residents we remain committed to our long-standing, walking and cycling strategy with all the permanent benefits this will bring for active and sustainable travel.
"We have a continued ambition to support investment in sustainable and active travel and the data gathered and the experience of providing this cycleway will help us when delivering future schemes."
The council has said a full review was carried out into the Chichester cycleway to inform the decision, including taking into account feedback and data collected.
Feedback showed the "majority of responses were opposed to the cycleway", according to West Sussex County Council.
Automatic traffic counters installed on the cycleway also showed relatively low usage by cyclists.
The cabinet member decision is subject to a call-in period.
All the information and feedback for each of the other Government funded, trial pop-up cycleway schemes in West Sussex will be reviewed on a rolling basis in October and November.
Just as with the Chichester scheme, once the information has been analysed a decision will be made either to:
• Keep the cycleway for a further period, and future review
• Make alterations and review in future
• Or remove the scheme.