Fears Aldwick will be cut off from seafront

That was the message two representatives of the parish council passed on to the consultant looking at the future of Bognor Regis seafront.

Former parish council chairman Cllr Dr Jim Ramage and current vice-chairman Cllr Lillian Richardson met Alex Herbert, who is compiling a seafront strategy. He works for Edor consultancy which has been hired by Arun District Council to look into the future of Bognor's key asset.

But the Aldwick councillors are alarmed their residents would be unable to reach destinations eastwards by road if part of the seafront was closed.

The prospect of the section of The Esplanade between Waterloo Square and Clarence Road being turned into a pedestrian plaza formed a large element of St Modwen's most recent regeneration plans for the town.

But the removal of the seafront through route would make it difficult for drivers from Aldwick to travel to places such as Littlehampton.

This situation would be worsened if the closure took place before the northern relief road was opened. The dire state of the national housing market has put a question mark over the completion of the road.

Cllr Dr Ramage told this month's parish council meeting: "We raised our concerns that, if the relief road is not built and the seafront is closed off, we will not be able to get to Littlehampton easily.

"We also expressed surprise that St Modwen had not included a seafront cycleway among their plans because this is playing a significant part in the plans of other seaside resorts."

Cllr Dr Ramage and Cllr Richardson pointed out to Mr Herbert that those who lived in Aldwick wanted to see their neighbouring town centre thrive.

"Our residents are concerned about the economic success of Bognor," stated Cllr Dr Ramage. "That seems to us to require significantly more business activity and entertainment facilities there and easier parking.

"Bognor town centre is going to be in competition with places like Chichester Gate, and Gunwharf Quays and Port Solent in Portsmouth."

Cllr Richardson said: "I have an increasing concern that the St Modwen development and Bognor's regeneration is separating off from the seafront regeneration.

"I can't see how you can do one without the other. It should be a complete whole '“ with new housing and new jobs '“ if you are regenerating Bognor."

Cllr Molly Myers explained she believed the current credit crunch would dent St Modwen's chances of carrying out the regeneration.

"I am not worrying too much about this. The seafront is not going to be closed tomorrow. I have been through this all before. I have the files about these schemes going back years.

"But we have most definitely got to keep our eye on the ball," she added.

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