Questions time

Since the presentation of the extensive North Littlehampton development to Arun District Council some years ago, town councillors, acting on behalf of affected residents, have questioned the lack of proper highway infrastructure.

The report quoted by Dr Walsh, setting out a timetable for the new road, gives the impression of being a ‘sticking plaster’ exercise intended to cover the belated attention given by the county council during the planning stages of the proposals.

It was evident from the outset that, without a comprehensive, strategic road pattern, the ‘cul-de-sac’ situation Dr Walsh refers to, together with an overburden of capacity on minor roads such as Mill Lane, was an inherent feature.

There is also no doubt that, without a bypass for Lyminster, the future would be equally unbearable for people living along the A284.

From the county report, it is evident that, even if the start date of June, 2017 is fulfilled, its completion will be well past the occupation of the majority of the 1,300 housing units and their construction programme.

Equally, we hear that funding is conditional on the closure of both level crossing points of the railway line. Such an arrangement would leave Littlehampton with just a single road link as its only northern connector. Any relief to the road system, because of the railway, sea and river enclosure of Littlehampton, would put pressure on the A259.

With this in mind, and no thought having been given to providing even a railway passenger halt adjacent to the development, an ‘easier route to the beach’, as described by councillor Mike Northeast in your story, is not something I would anticipate from this ill-thought-out scheme.

Derek Hulmes,

town councillor for Brookfield ward,

Kingfisher Drive

Wick