Worthing prom pathway open to cyclists at last

Cyclists can now start pedalling along the promenade from Splash Point to George V Avenue in Worthing.


Worthing has the highest pedestrian and cyclist casualties of any town in West Sussex, according to the County Council. 20mph limits bring better safety. 

In the last 5 years of data 111 people have been killed or seriously injured walking or cycling in Worthing. This is almost twice that in Crawley (62) and more than double that for Littlehampton (47). 

 20 mph limits without speed humps is a life saving and better quality of life policy. Politicians in Worthing and West Sussex have voted for it. Main through routes can be excluded, with each road considered on its own merits.  Key is that 20 mph reduces risk to walkers and cyclists by 95% and makes streets feel safer.  Since 2006 walkers and cyclists have accounted for 83% of deaths and 60% of serious road injuries in Worthing.  

Many letters of support for slower speeds in Worthing have come in including Pieter Montyn, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council and Keith Taylor, Green Party MEP for the South-East of England.  Worthing SCOPE’s Chief Executive Officer Pauline Fox said


“Traffic moving at a slower pace will always be a safer option for pedestrians, especially those with mobility difficulties”.

Slower speeds protect the vulnerable like walkers, cyclists, disabled, children and elderly. Fortunately, as city driving is “stop-go”, journey time changes are minimal (40 seconds). 20 mph is not anti-motorist as drivers also benefit from better safety.

Developer funding would turn this democratically agreed policy into reality, with Worthing trail blazing it in West Sussex.  Over 6 million people across Britain live in places like Portsmouth, Oxford, Bristol, York and Islington who have already implemented, or are committed to, Total 20 limits. 20 mph limits are conclusively cost effective.  20 mph reduces suffering and saves money in casualties avoided, with first year rates of return at 800%. Subsequent years are free. Light touch enforcement only is required. Portsmouth had 22% fewer casualties after 2 years of turning 94% of roads 20 mph. It cost £333 per street in Portsmouth.

20’s Plenty for Worthing ask residents to sign the online petition at www.20splentyforworthing.org.uk

20’s Plenty for Us welcomes comment and feedback. Please contact us if you have or need any further information. www.20splentyforus.org.uk

Local 20's Plenty for Worthing Contact is Duncan Kay, 20splentyforworthing@googlemail.com www.20splentyforworthing.org.uk

Campaign Organiser, Bob Smytherman said: 

“Cycling is so much better for our health and I have always wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the promenade through the whole of Worthing”

"We now need to campaign for Phases 3 and 4 through Goring and in to Ferring to join up with Littlehampton and beyond"

Worthing Lib Dems Renew Call for new seafront toilets

Worthing Liberal Democrats have renewed their call for the re-opening of public toilets on the Goring Greensward near the Yacht Club. Residents and tourists alike have now been without public toilets at the Yacht Club site for some years.  The toilets were among those closed to make savings by the Tory administration, much to the dismay of Worthing residents. 

Local residents' hopes were raised when new public toilets were understood to be included as a condition of the planning application for the proposed new yacht club building at the site of the new development at Sea Place. 

  At this moment in time we cannot get a clear answer whether the public toilets are likely to be built and the situation is further confused as apparently the Cabinet Member for Environment is minded to insist that any new toilets are serviced by the Yacht Club rather than added to the current Council contract with 'Wettons'?

  Councillor David Potter, Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: 

 

"It is now time for these seafront toilets to be reinstated for public use - we owe it both to the comfort of our residents and tourists enjoying the much-loved Goring Greensward. 

"Earlier this year we had cause to complain about the cleanliness and condition of the toilets on the seafront near the pier, we didn't expect the Cabinet Member to abdicate his responsibility to the Yacht Club?"