These are the key issues that need to be addressed before cycling in Horsham can become a safe, convenient and attractive transport option.
Do you have an issue you’d like to see addressed? Please contact us in the comments below. We’d like to hear from you.
1) Weak cycling policy and delivery: Both LTP3 and the HDPF are very weak on cycling. We lack: cycling officers, cycle-proofing of new highway works and the ability to use planned maintenance to improve cycle infrastructure. The councils are left unable to secure the maximum cycling benefits from developers and from sustainable transport funding. Money is wasted on sub-standard cycling infrastructure. Cycle provision falls into a gap between district and county councils and is ‘tacked on’ afterwards –if at all. Highways provision is not subject to effective scrutiny and there is a lack of effective community consultation.
We feel strongly that WSCC needs a stronger cycling policy with clear objectives, expert personnel and strong leadership. Without better infrastructure, behavioural change initiatives and training are wasting money.
2) North of Horsham strategic development: Up to 2500 houses, business park, schools etc. which can only be reached by crossing the very busy A264 (45,000+ vehicles per day). There was no serious consideration for cycling in the planning framework documents.
On-and off-site cycle provision is core infrastructure that needs to be an integral part of all planning and viability assessments and it needs to be funded and delivered in a timely manner.
The 5 massive new junctions need an urgent rethink to provide safe, direct and convenient crossings (underpasses) for pedestrians and cyclists. See our letter and briefing here: A264 junctions urgent rethink
3) Horsham’s Missing Link: a safe completion of the Horsham-Crawley WSCC/Sustrans cycle route using the railway underpass. This needs to be put back in the Infrastructure Delivery Plans. See our new campaign leaflet and poster: Horsham’s Missing Link
4) Southwater-Horsham cycle links: These two major settlements are only 3 miles apart but there is no safe cycle route. The main road is very dangerous and there is no good alternative. We have put forward suggestions for change in the documents: Southwater to Horsham cycle routes and Possible cycle and pedestrian routes
5) Town centre cycle access: The dual carriageway inner ring road and pedestrianised areas mean that it is hard to get into and across the centre of Horsham by bike. Large current developments should be an opportunity to create new cycle links into and across the Bishopric –but this does not seem to be happening. See more detail in the document: Joined-up cycling
6) All-weather surfacing of alternative safe routes: There are tens of millions of pounds being spent locally on major roads that are too fast and dangerous for ordinary people to cycle on and have no cycle provision. By contrast, alternative routes like the Downslink and Pedlar’s Way are unusable for utility trips and general leisure trips because they are unsealed and badly maintained. WSCC are currently unwilling to change this.
7) Local Links: There are many possible local links through cul-de-sacs or off-road paths that should be signed and improved to make cycling more direct and attractive compared with using a car. For example, see the document: Space for Cycling – quiet links
8) Broadbridge Heath Quadrant: With the forthcoming redevelopment there are opportunities for good cycle links both within the quadrant and linking it to the A24 cycle/footbridge, West of Horsham, Christ’s Hospital station and to Broadbridge Heath itself.
9) West of Horsham Transport Package: Although this package makes much of the cycling benefits, the major work is to improve vehicle capacity on several large roundabouts. Disappointingly, there is no cycle provision apart from a single cycle crossing which does not appear to form part of a safe, direct, continuous and convenient cycling route.
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