Let's scrap the High Street's pedestrian priority area

A demand has been made for the 'dangerous' pedestrian priority area in Bognor Regis High Street to be scrapped.

Town councillors want cars to be able to travel through the main shopping area again.

They say allowing two-way vehicles once more '“ just over three years after the scheme was officially opened '“ would make conditions safer for shoppers.

The current situation where motorists ignore the no entry signs to illegally drive along the High Street at normal speeds and park where they want puts lives at risk, according to councillors.

Committee chairman Cllr Jeanette Warr said the current situation needed sorting out. "Basically, the people of Bognor can't see that the scheme has been a success.

"We have monitored the High Street and so have the police. So many people are abusing the road closure that it might just as well not be in place.

"We all know what happens down there. One of these days, there's going to be a serious accident there. Anyone new to the town hasn't got a clue what is going on in the High Street."

Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce chairman and president Nick Stuart Nicolson, who works in the High Street, said: "The scheme is a farce because of the amount of traffic which goes through the High Street. There is a constant stream of vehicles. You just see people tootle through. They either don't see the no entry signs or just ignore them if they do."

Both Mrs Warr and Mr Stuart Nicolson said the situation need to be rethought in view of the regeneration proposals which could see The Esplanade closed to through traffic to leave the town lacking east to west routes for traffic.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: "Cars ignoring signs is an ongoing enforcement issue that we are talking to Sussex Police about.

"However, generally the improvements with new bus stops, wider pavements, lighting and the other features have been welcomed by traders and shoppers. The scheme has contributed positively to the town centre environment.

"However, we would be happy to meet town councillors on site when we receive their request to look at the issues of concern they have raised."

It was in April 1999 that the county council began to restrict access along the High Street. The move was made to improve conditions for shoppers and aid the town's regeneration.

The stretch of road between Bedford Street and Sussex Street was closed to through traffic. Access to York Road was also restricted.

The initial 7am-7pm ban on cars and vans was temporarily extended to 24 hours the following October. To emphasis this, a 40 yard stretch of the High Street's central area between the precinct and arcade is narrowed to just one lane. The middle section of this length of road is raised to pavement height to emphasise the emphasis on pedestrians.

The round-the-clock exclusion was made permanent in November 2000. Only buses and emergency services are allowed through.

Changes to the road layout were completed for an official opening in July 2004. But disabled badge motorists are entitled to drive into the London Road precinct before 11am.

Members of the town council's planning and licensing committee at their latest meeting resolved to ask the county council:

to think again about the High Street's current restricted area;

to revert this to normal two-way traffic with a 10mph speed limit;

the red paved area (between the precinct and arcade converted to a pedestrian controlled crossing; and

on-street parking to be made available in this area.