Bognor residents voice fears over town problems

In an open debate on some of the key issues affecting the area, members of the council reviewed key decisions taken during the last 12 months and reported progress on ongoing schemes.

Councillors and residents expressed alarm over plans being considered to sell the Lyon Street car park which could be sold off by Arun District Council for development.

The issue of potholes around Bognor town centre was raised by a number of councillors, who claimed West Sussex County Council had failed to fully resolve the considerable problem in the town.

Simon McDougall, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate, believed urgent action was necessary. He said: "Some of the potholes around Bognor are not being done '“ the worst of them are more like craters. I think the worst is in Marshall Avenue, where there is a strip of about 70 metres of potholes.

"The council is trying its best, but they are not coming up to scratch on this, the county is spending 3m on them but the damage is more like 10m to the roads in West Sussex."

Mr McDougall shared Cllr Paul Wells' belief the damaged road surfaces around the town were 'a serious accident waiting to happen'.

On the issue of car parking, Cllr Greg Burt said the consultation carried out by an agency for Arun did not fully recognise the value of retaining car parking facilities for businesses and shoppers.

He said: "We have already lost one car park to development in Lyon Street and once again we are facing another loss of our last one there.

"I have spoken with Arun chief executive Ian Sumnall who said the car parks in Bognor were Arun's biggest earner, but people are not using them so much and are parking further out as the car parks are too expensive which is why they are now often half-empty."

Hugh Coster, deputy chairman of the Civic Society said Arun would be effectively 'selling the family silverware' if the Lyon Street carpark was removed.

He highlighted the fact consultants used to conduct the survey on car parking had approached only 67 people in formulating its results.

In response, Cllr Adam Cunard said the car-parking review was linked to the regeneration of the Regis Centre site and Arun's chosen development partners, St Modwen, had envisioned residents and visitors using more forms of public transport and cycling.

Bognor resident Liz Fraser, from the Hotham area, raised issues of beach access. She said: "I am not sure whether people are really aware that those who are disabled cannot gain access to the beach- We live at the seaside and the beach should be more accessible."

Cllr Jim Brook, who has led a campaign for greater beach access, reported progress on the issue. "There are three points of beach access near the Lobster Pot in Felpham, so why can't we have anything in Bognor?"

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