West Sussex County Council is set to install a new ‘toucan’ style crossing which will prioritise pedestrians and cyclists in Shoreham, following public support for the proposals.
Construction of the toucan crossing on the A283 Steyning Road – one of the council’s school active travel initiatives – is likely to start next Spring. The council said it will benefit the whole community by providing a safer crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists to access the river-side footway and cycleway, improving access between St Nicholas Lane, the town centre, Shoreham Toll Bridge and the Downs Link.
Additionally, the crossing is designed to improve connectivity for schoolchildren, such as those going to and from the Sir Robert Woodard Academy, as well as improving connectivity for a nearby business centre.
Joy Dennis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This is really positive news for both pedestrians and cyclists in Shoreham and is one of our school active travel initiatives, funded through the Department for Transport’s active travel fund.
“The results of the public consultation gave us a clear message: of those people who expressed either support or opposition, 94% were in favour of the scheme.”
The project will go out to tender soon, with the council looking for a company to install the push-button controlled traffic light crossing for pedestrians and cyclists
There will also be widening and resurfacing work needed on the footways immediately adjacent to the crossing. The council are looking to install high-friction road surfacing to improve safety for those on the crossing, while retaining the existing bus stop.
Tim Loughton, member of parliament for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: “This is an increasingly busy road and making it easier and safer to link the town with the riverbank will benefit the many walkers, dogwalkers, pupils and cyclists especially heading to this much-valued part of Adur’s environment.
“The temporary crossing installed after the tragic Shoreham Air Show crash to facilitate the thousands of people heading for the Bridge of Flowers to pay their respects showed it was possible and soon it will become a permanent reality.”
