‘Council consulted me over tree maintenance in my road...but not major Chichester cycle plans’

Letter from: John H. Pollard, Broyle Road, Chichester
Cycle lanes in Chichester cause delays for motorists. Pic Steve Robards SR2008261 SUS-200826-114741001Cycle lanes in Chichester cause delays for motorists. Pic Steve Robards SR2008261 SUS-200826-114741001
Cycle lanes in Chichester cause delays for motorists. Pic Steve Robards SR2008261 SUS-200826-114741001

This ridiculous Chichester cycle lane scheme should be abandoned now. Have the costs of increased air pollution, the delays on local traffic journeys, the blocking of property accesses for residents and emergency vehicles been calculated? What ‘economic benefit’ value has been put on the scheme?

I am not anti-cyclist – quite the contrary. In my youth I enjoyed much cycling on a very basic machine. I fully support the idea of helping those who wish to cycle to do so. However this scheme forces unprotected people into sharing space with frustrated and angry drivers in their protected environment.

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I cannot understand why this unsafe proposal has reached this stage.

West Sussex County Council recently consulted me on pollarding the trees in Broyle Road but I never received any advice of this madcap scheme to enable me to make comment. Why not?

The current road system was probably based on 1930s designs and is clearly now unsuitable.

The recent reduction in circulation space for motor vehicles by extracting a cycle lane in the north-east corner removes a natural channel for those turning up Broyle Road or into the car park.

Far better solutions, including using underused/derelict space around the roundabout and a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights could be considered.