County council agrees to remove controversial Chichester cycle lanes

The cycle route, which runs from St Richard's Hospital in Spitalfield Lane through to the railway station, has been subject to much criticism from residents after it first appeared in August.

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.”

A council officer's decision report said the scheme had 'fulfilled its primary objectives' and that the 'extraordinary circumstances that necessitated' the scheme no longer exist.

Part of the report read: "Removing the scheme will return the network to its pre-pandemic state. The data collected whilst the scheme was operational can be seen in Appendix C and this will be used to inform future proposals. Elements of the temporary scheme may form the basis of permanent solutions that will be developed with future tranches of funding."

"More than 80 per cent strongly opposed the pop-up cycle lane becoming permanent, with only 6.14 per cent strongly supporting and 1.97 per cent supporting.

"Of the respondents 344 reported having used the pop-up cycle lane, 87 having intentions of using it, 1909 having no plans to use it and 344 not yet used it.

"A total of 12 wands had to be repaired at a total cost of £1,155."

More on this to follow.