Horsham taxi driver’s call to axe cycle lane ‘before someone is killed’

A Horsham taxi driver and cyclist is calling for the pop-up cycle lane to be scrapped before a fatal crash happens.
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Phil Reich, 58, said he wanted to speak out after witnessing the aftermath of a collision between a van and a cyclist at 9.25am this morning, October 27 at the Springfield Park Road junction.

He said: “I got there just after it happened.

“Thankfully [the] cyclist didn’t appear to be injured but his bike was completely destroyed.

Phil Reich who witnessed the aftermath of a crash in covid pop up cycle lane in Horsham. Pic Steve Robards SR2010273 SUS-201027-171523001Phil Reich who witnessed the aftermath of a crash in covid pop up cycle lane in Horsham. Pic Steve Robards SR2010273 SUS-201027-171523001
Phil Reich who witnessed the aftermath of a crash in covid pop up cycle lane in Horsham. Pic Steve Robards SR2010273 SUS-201027-171523001
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“[I] don’t think this would have happened if cycle lane wasn’t there.”

Phil told the County Times he has used the cycle lane himself and witnessed motorists driving their cars into it by mistake.

He added: “There’s a lot of confusion about them. [The lane] causes a massive traffic hold up.

“The cycle lane is not working – West Sussex County Council need to know a lot of people are unhappy about it.

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“It’s not working from two or three aspects. Get the cycle lane removed before someone is killed!”

Last week the county council agreed to remove the controversial cycle lanes in Chichester.

The schemes, installed across the county, have faced widespread backlash from residents.

Readers took to the County Times Facebook page to vent their frustration at the pop-up cycleway in Albion Way which was estimated to cost £14,800.

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But the council is yet to confirm when or if the Horsham cycle lane will be removed.

In a statement, a spokeswoman told the County Times all the information and feedback for each of the Government funded, trial pop-up cycleway schemes in West Sussex will be reviewed on a rolling basis in October and November.

She added: “Just as with the Chichester scheme, once the information has been analysed a decision will be made either to keep the cycleway for a further period, and future review, to make alterations and review in future, or to remove the scheme.”

In response to Phil’s comments the spokeswoman said: “We are not currently aware of the circumstances of the road traffic collision that occurred on the October 27, once the details are available to us we will review circumstances and make adjustments if required.”

Sussex Police has been approached for a statement on the crash.