Road revamp for vulnerable users

Work will be concentrated in Marine Parade in the run-up to Christmas

Work to improve road safety in a West Sussex town with the highest number of accidents involving vulnerable road users is to get under way.

A 20mph zone will be introduced and roads narrowed in the Chapel Road and Marine Parade area of Worthing as part of the £850,000 six-month revamp.

Pavements will be widened and trees planted in the work starting on Monday.

West Sussex County Council said it would be a major improvement for the very busy area of Worthing.

The seafront area has the highest concentration of vulnerable road user accidents in the whole of West Sussex, the council said.

Over the last five years, Chapel Road and Marine Parade have seen 48 recorded accidents with 55 casualties.

Of those, 37 accidents involved vulnerable road users, who were elderly people during the day and young people using pubs and bars at night.

Least disruption

"This scheme follows a very extensive consultation including a chance for local people to meet with the designers," said Councillor Derek Whittington.

"It is designed to improve safety and the environment."

Work will be carried out mainly during Monday to Friday daytimes, to cause the least possible disruption to traders and customers.

Until Christmas, work will be concentrated in Marine Parade.

Work will also start early next year in Chapel Road and in front of the Town Hall.