We have responded in support of the earlier reponses from Sustrans and the West Sussex Cycle Forum to the public consultation on proposed improvements to the A259 between Ferring and Rustington.
Although this is out of our immediate area, it is of relevance because:
- People from the Forum either use this road, or would use it if it were safe and attractive for cycling.
- The general approach taken on the design and evaluation of the route is part of a wider issue within West Sussex which fails cycling.
As part of the Government’s Ambition for Cycling the DfT has said that it “expects local authorities to up their game in delivering infrastructure that takes cycling into account from the design stage”.
In the parliamentary debate on Investment in Cycling earlier this year, the Minister for Cycling Robert Goodwill MP said:
“We need to trust the people in the local enterprise partnerships, local authorities and combined authorities to understand the importance of cycling. The evidence so far is that that is working. Indeed, I had a meeting with some LEPs today and made it clear that cycling should be central to some of their work.”
The National Planning Policy Framework requires that:
“The transport system needs to be balanced in favour of sustainable transport modes, giving people a real choice about how they travel.”
“[Developments should] give priority to pedestrian and cycle movements.”
“Decisions should take account of whether: the opportunities for sustainable transport modes have been taken up.”
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