Road in Littlehampton could be closed permanently following pandemic trial
The closure was originally brought in to help with social distancing
A road in Littlehampton could be permanently closed to traffic following several temporary covid closures.
Proposals to permanently close Pier Road to traffic are set to go before Arun District Council’s Economy Committee on Tuesday (November 22).
A section of the road was first closed to vehicles and cyclists between August and September 2020.
This followed concerns that pedestrians and shoppers were having to ‘walk into the road to maintain social distancing’.
Another closure was in force between May and the end of September 2021, but measures to close the road this summer were not completed in time.
Now the council plans to close the road permanently and potentially as far as the Gravy Boat restaurant.
Permanent closure was supported by 44 per cent of public consultation respondents.
Of the other respondents, 39 per cent supported an annual seasonal closure; 9 per cent supported keeping the road as it is; 5 per cent wanted to see Pier Road made one-way running to the south; and the remaining 3 per cent supported one-way northbound traffic.
More than half of the visitors to Littlehampton and 43 per cent of Pier Road residents who responded supported a permanent closure.
Of the 13 businesses which responded, only 23 per cent supported the permanent closure, with 15 per cent supporting summer closures.
The majority (62 per cent) said the road should be kept as it is.
Karl Roberts, the council’s director of growth, outlined the advantages of permanent closure in a report.
“This option does increase overall pedestrian safety and resolves the parking
issues,” reads the report, “Being a permanent feature, it will add to the overall ambiance of the area, increased footfall and dwell time, year-round space for entertainers and pavement dining.
“It would allow for seasonal activities throughout the year which would benefit the local economy overall.”
However, Mr Roberts did acknowledge that the closure would come at a ‘significant cost’.
If the Economy Committee supports the closure, ADC will ask highways authority West Sussex County Council for a permanent TRO.