Notes of a meeting held at Worthing Town Hall, Worthing at 6.00p.m. on Wednesday 20th September, 2000

Present:

Mr. Livermore in the chair

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mr. G. Forshaw, Mrs. M. Hayes, Ms. A. Angell, Mr. D. Parker, Mr. A. Cartmell, Dr. D. Uncles, Mrs. I. Richards, Mrs. V. Sutton, Mr. C. Gregg

NOTES OF THE LAST MEETING

These were agreed without amendment

MATTERS ARISING

• Copies of Worthing Borough Councils' proposals for a staff Green Travel Plan were circulated for information.

THE COUNTYWIDE LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN (LTP) AND WORTHING URBAN TRANSPORT PLAN (UTP)

• The LTP bid was submitted to Government on 31 July for determination in December. It is expected that increased resources would be available from Government.

• The full LTP document is widely available in public libraries and can be viewed on WSCC's website. A summary LTP document is being prepared and will be sent out to members in October.

• A postal questionnaire will shortly be circulated to 11,000 households in West Sussex to assess travel behaviour - further public consultations are also planned.

• The plan proposes a decriminalised parking regime for introduction throughout West Sussex within the next five years. Parking Management Plans would be prepared jointly with Districts and Boroughs in respective areas. A pilot scheme is being considered and Worthing is a possibility for that pilot.

• It was reported that the regime would allow for parking fines to be hypothecated for local use.

• The Worthing UTP summary, as included in the full LTP, was circulated for information.

A27 WORTHING TO LANCING INTEGRATED TRANSPORT STUDY

• Mr. Dapaah and Mr. Rohr updated the Forum of the progress of the study, outlining significant dates and milestones.

• Mr Rohr commented that there would be full public consultation in due course on the proposed options. A second reference group will be held before Christmas, with exhibitions in January 2001 and a final report in March 2001.

• Mr Rohr confirmed that the study team will take due account of all developments and initiatives relevant to the study (e.g. Green Travel Initiatives, highway and rail improvements)

UPDATES

1. Public Transport

   • It was reported that the revised Bus Corridor Strategy will not result in the reallocation of roadspace. Specific junctions will have upgraded vehicle detection systems installed to aid the passage of buses. Stage 1 will be the Worthing Station Access Improvements, construction of which is due to start in Spring 2001.

   • The issue of Clifton Road becoming one-way operation was being reviewed in light of the ongoing consultation with local residents.

   • Following the meeting it is confirmed that Connex South Central and Railtrack have been consulted as part of the Worthing Station improvement programme.

2. Cycling Projects

   • Progress was reported on the Town centre to Goring Cycle route. Stage 1 was completed last month with Stage 2 programmed for implementation in Spring 2001.

   • It was confirmed that the advisory route was being monitored and any mandatory adjustments will be considered following detailed review.

3. Controlled Parking Zone

   • It was reported that a proposal has been prepared for the creation of a new Zone L. This will have similar restrictions to other outlying zones. It is intended that the zone will be operational within the next few months.

   • Mr Livermore expressed his thanks for the work of Mrs. Richards in highlighting some of the parking problems in Worthing.

4. A259 Speed Management Strategy

   • It was reported that the strategy has been running for 3-4 months and proving successful. There is, however, some peak hour queuing westbound through Goring Crossways. A full monitoring exercise will happen this month with decisions on changes taken by Christmas.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

• Mr. Langley reported on developments at Worthing Station. Security concerns by the public had been addressed by the installation of additional CCTV cameras. He also reported on the appointment of a member of staff at Durrington Station and the proposal for a further staff member at Goring.

• Mr. Livermore thanked Inspector Wadeson for his contribution to the Group, given Inspector Wadeson's impending retirement.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Forum is to be held at 6.00p.m. on Wednesday 24th January 2001 at Worthing Town Hall, Worthing