We have taken a close look at the proposed cycle provision along the spine road detailed in planning application CC/20/01046/REM.

Our analysis of cycleway geometry indicate it will present several major safety issues.

We believe the safety issues of the current design will prevent most cyclists using the provision.

Our recommendation is that a “Cycle audit and review” should be conducted (or a walking and cycling audit and review) as outlined in section 1.7 of the DfT Cycle infrastructure design guidelines (LTN 2/08) (page 15). These DfT guidelines highlight that campaign groups “can be very helpful in providing specialist expertise” and the Chichester Cycle Forum members would be very happy to be involved.

Concerns Regarding CC/20/01046/REM – Case Officer: Steve Harris: 50 dwellings (Phase 5, Parcel F, permission 14/04301/OUT)

• Proposed Junctions do not Pass DfT Recommended Visibility Splay Analysis
• Developers have Submitted Splay Analysis that Ignores Visibility of Cyclists
• Road Safety Compliance Relies on Miniature Front Garden Architecture
• Cycle-way Width will be Constrained at Junctions
• Cycle-way does not meet DfT Minimum Width Requirements
  
• Pedestrians have Insufficient Visibility of Oncoming Cyclists at Junctions
• Visibility of Home Owners Emerging from Houses Inadequate
• Lamp Posts will be set in the middle of the Cycle-Way

The cycle forum also have concerns that the 19/02584/REM (Application for Sports Facility and Other Works) includes a section of the Phase 2 Southern Access Road.

We feel strongly that the transport infrastructure for Phase 2 should have a Detailed Street Masterplan that is agreed before permission is granted for building any part of the SAR. The DfT recommend obtaining stakeholder agreement over a comprehensive Detailed Street Masterplan for all large new developments.

The DfT Manual for Streets 2007 (page 31) explains the importance of developing a Detailed Street Masterplan for larger developments at the early design stages.

“3.6.25 Detailed masterplans are likely to be needed for schemes at the higher end of the scale in terms of size and complexity. For relatively simple proposals, a detailed scheme layout is all that is likely to be needed. Guidance on the masterplanning process is given in Creating Successful Masterplans: A Guide for Clients.”
“3.6.26 It is important when preparing a detailed masterplan, that all of the critical features which impact on the efficiency and quality of the development – and which cannot be changed once it is built – are carefully considered”

There is significant anxiety in the local community that the Southern Acess Road is being implemented in jigsaw like pieces without adequate consultation. There is justifyable concern that this road will continue to be extended until it severs walking and cycling routes like Centurion Way, the National South Coast Cycle Route (ChEmRoute) and walking cycling provision between Chichester City and Tesco Supermarket.

Indeed, the Friends of Centurion Way have collected a petition of around 1000 names from people who wish to minimise the impact of development plans on Centurion Way and its vital links into our city. This community group has been Campaigning for over 30 Months in order to reach a satisfactory solution.

Our recommendation is that the entire length of the Southern Access Road should be built to meet current West Sussex County Council design guidelines by including “stepped cycle tracks” along each side of the spine road.

Many thanks for all your work with local planning matters,

Mark Record (on behalf of the Chichester Cycle Forum