We’ve heavily criticised the plans for cyclists and pedestrians in the New Monks Farm planning application in Adur for 600 homes and a new Ikea store next to the A27. The plans will force pedestrians and cyclists into conflict as the shared paths are too narrow, indirect and potentially dangerous and will put off many from cycling. The cycle route out of the housing estate has 6 stages of road crossing heading east to the Downs Link and Shoreham. Coming back again there are 8 crossing stages. Crossing points are too narrow and central islands too small and will be difficult to get on and off. Anyone taking a child on a trailer or tag-along will find it difficult if not dangerous to use these paths. The Country Park has ridiculously narrow paths and bridges plus a loop that will send pedestrians and cyclists through a car park.
The other big impact is the direct and popular crossing of the A27 at Shoreham Pad is being replaced by a convoluted set of crossings at a new roundabout approx 600 m to the west or a sub-standard (too narrow) path along the River Adur and under the A27 before connecting up with Coombes Road.
What’s worse is that West Sussex County Council as the highways authority has only picked up one or two minor issues and ignored the fact that the facilities overall are completely dysfunctional, if not dangerous. Is it any wonder that there is so little cycling in West Sussex when you have an authority that cares so little about cycling and public health?
Read our press release here
Our formal response to follow, but issues highlighted to date can be read here
Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth 
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