New Horsham cycle lanes - how would you like them improved?

New cycle lanes in Horsham town centre have come in for strong criticism this week. Here Francis Vernon, chairman of Horsham District Cycling Forum, gives his views.
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“We’ve long known that getting more people on their bikes for everyday journeys benefits everyone, not just ‘cyclists’.

“Using a bike to get about is better for your health, it saves you money, it reduces congestion on the roads (one less car), it improves air quality and is often the fastest way to get about in urban areas. Everyone wins!

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“When the Covid pandemic took hold the Government recognised that it had to take urgent action to deal with the reduction in public transport and avoid gridlock if too many people choose to drive instead.

Albion Way cycle lane. Photo: Mark TreasureAlbion Way cycle lane. Photo: Mark Treasure
Albion Way cycle lane. Photo: Mark Treasure

“That’s why the Government set up an emergency fund and called on councils to ‘make significant changes to their road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians’.

“The county council successfully bid for money for seven schemes across the county, one being the pop-up cycle lane along Albion Way in Horsham.

“The purpose of the emergency funding is to get people on bikes who aren’t already cycling, and to do so with measures like protected cycle lanes and low-traffic neighbourhoods.

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“During the lockdown bike use rose by over 380 per cent on some days as people felt safe to venture out on the roads, often for the first time in years.

“To give people a real choice as to how they travel we need to protect them from danger on the roads, for example by providing physically protected cycle lanes on busy roads.

“During the development of the Albion Way scheme the cycling forum provided feedback and we’re pleased that some of our ideas have been taken on board.

“We are however disappointed that the scheme has been cut in half.

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“Only the eastbound lane will be built leaving anyone who wants to return the same way with no protected lane.

“This will clearly make the scheme much less useful to people on bikes. You can’t imagine a road or a railway being built like this.

“A protected cycleway along Albion Way (in both directions!) will provide a crucial ‘backbone’ cycle route enabling people to travel safely east-west across the town.

“We need to give it a try. Whenever there’s a change to the road layout there’s some initial disruption. It takes time for people to adapt to the new layout and adjust their travel habits.

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“The Government expressly called for the pop-up schemes to be put in swiftly and for councils to monitor and adapt them as they went along.

“The Albion Way scheme may not be perfect but – given that the Government expects councils to ‘deliver a lasting transformative change in how we make short journeys’ – how would you like to see it improved?”

Talk is increasing of further lockdowns in the UK. What do you think of the situation? Join the Big Conversation and have your say on everything from healthcare to how the pandemic has affected you personally and how we make our communities stronger: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/bc-worthinga

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