VOTE: Is it vital to find ways of tackling traffic jams outside Butlin's?

Talks have been held with the holiday company about moving its customer reception desk.

Shifting the entrance building further into the holiday resort would allow more vehicles to wait on its premises rather than be stuck on the roundabout directly outside.

The discussions have taken place with Arun District Council chief executive Nigel Lynn to try to ease the lengthy queues which regularly build up around the entrance to the holiday resort.

The lines of vehicles bring traffic along the A259 Felpham Way and Upper Bognor Road to a standstill as visitors wait to get into the site.

Mr Lynn told Felpham Village Conservation Society on Monday: “The reception can be moved and it’s a case of how best to do it.

“It can’t be moved much because of the geography of the site, but I can see, as the site becomes more successful, there is a downside to that.

“You have a lot of vehicles arriving at the same time on Friday nights and leaving at the same time on Monday mornings.

“There are two sides to Butlin’s. Looking at the growth of the site and the spend, there is undoubtedly a benefit for the Bognor area and we have to see how we can harness that.

“But if Butlin’s pulled out, there is a risk of becoming a ghost town like Barry Island.”

He made his comments as complaints about the traffic situation were raised at the society’s annual meeting.

Mr Lynn said he was also in talks with Butlin’s about bringing a planned watersports centre to fruition.

“The district council has land which can be used for that centre. Butlin’s are looking at the scheme very closely. There are a lot of things to consider because it’s a big investment,” he said.

“If it does happen, it will bring in a new clientele. The people who use those centres are different from the people who come to the town at the moment.”

The attraction would boast all-year-round facilities to enable people to enjoy watersports without going on to the sea.

It would also be used as a base by those who want to venture on to the waves. The University of Chichester, along with Arun, is keen to see the centre built at the Gloucester Road car parks to boost its sports department.