Coast to Capital administrates central Government funding for improvements to the local transport networks in the region. In conjunction with local authority partners, a consultation process has begun on a range of transport schemes which could receive funding.
The schemes include proposals to improve road junctions, encourage more walking and cycling, reduce congestion and help to prevent road closures caused by flooding. In total, these schemes would mean an investment of more than £44.7 million to improve transport networks across the Coast to Capital region.
In Crawley, a package of improvements would reduce congestion and improve sustainable transport (walking, cycling and public transport). This scheme has been approved by central Government in principle, with funding allocated. It is now subject to a value-for-money assessment for phase 1 which will be delivered in 2015/16. The package would provide a strong focus on reducing congestion, improving bus journey times and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists alongside improving the general environment to help encourage new businesses to locate in the area.
A scheme for the A284 Lyminster Bypass would complete a new 1.8 km north-south road to link Littlehampton to the A27 without passing through the villages of Lyminster and Wick. The business case for this scheme is concerned with the northern section of the bypass only. The southern section of the bypass including a new road bridge over the West Coastway rail line is being funded and delivered by developers.
Coast to Capital also plans to allocate funding to a number of smaller sustainability and resilience schemes across its region to start in 2015/16. As limited funding is available, it is unlikely that all schemes will receive funding at this stage.
In West Sussex, proposals include improvements to the cycle network between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis to encourage cycling. Additionally, The South Downs National Park and neighbouring areas could benefit from new walking and cycling improvements.
Worthing could benefit from a sustainable transport package to reduce congestion and encourage walking and cycling in the town centre and Horsham could benefit from traffic calming in Broadbridge Heath and Warnham with improvements to four junctions to reduce congestion and improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
Local businesses and residents have until 3 March 2015 to share their views on all these schemes by contacting Iain Reeve, Transport Adviser at Coast to Capital +44(0)1403 333840 or by email to iain.reeve@coast2capital.org.uk.
Commenting on the consultation, Ron Crank, chief executive of Coast to Capital said: "Having worked closely and collaboratively with local councils and stakeholders, we are now asking local people for their views on specific improvements to transport schemes in their areas. Together, we are confident these schemes will comprise a transport strategy for the region that will support our region's economic growth."
West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Pieter Montyn, said: "We would really welcome people's views on the business cases that have been put forward for these schemes. Their opinions will aid the decision makers on where funding should go."
Discover more about the transport schemes online at http://www.coast2capital.org.uk/strategic-objectives/infrastructure-place-and-investment
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