Councils '˜penny pinching' from Horsham's cycle schemes

A traffic light replacement project in Albion Way included new advanced stop lines for cyclists and remarking of nearby cycle lanes.

A HDCF statement said a cycle lane in Springfield Road had been resurfaced twice in two years and nearby traffic lights did not change colour for cyclists.

It stated ‘penny pinching’ and low quality work meant that the markings on this cycle lane (pictured) ‘have already worn away, even before the rest of the project has been completed’.

A spokesman added: “This is just one of a whole catalogue of low-quality and badly implemented schemes which are meant to provide for cycling, but just end up wasting money or even making it less safe for Horsham people to get on their bikes.”

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said it was addressing the issues with the Horsham cycling scheme’s contractor.

The spokesman said the scheme was still in a maintenance period and added: “Cycling and all forms of sustainable transport are important to us and are considered as part of all schemes and developments promoted or supported by us.”

A spokesman for Horsham District Council said: “West Sussex County Council as the Highway Authority, are responsible for the detail design and implementation of cycle paths.

“The Horsham District Local Plan contains policies that will not allow development to go forward unless it provides the infrastructure that is needed to support the new development, and this includes measures to cope with changes in traffic, and also to encourage walking and cycling.”

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