Seafront at Bognor needs a bold vision, urges chamber

A vision of the town's prized asset was due to be adopted by Arun District Council last night (Thursday, April 16).

It covers the two miles between West Park in Aldwick and Blakes Road in Felpham and sets out a 20m programme of improvements up to 2034.

But Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce's vice-chairman Ian Harding said the document could well fail to make a meaningful difference to the popular promenade.

"The review of our seafront is a golden opportunity which could well be wasted if it is not bold or imaginative enough," he said. "A new seafront is long overdue to bring us into the 21st century. After all, it is the sea first and foremost that attracts visitors."

But he said the strategy seemed to lack any major spending by Arun.

The proposed watersports centre on Gloucester Road, which he described as a major boost for the town, was likely to be mainly financed by private enterprise.

"Another essential idea was the creation of pedestrian crossing points to enable easy access to the seafront. But that would probably be the responsibility of the county council.

"I wonder what Arun is going to be doing to improve the promenade?" he asked. "Will the 2.4m the council received from Butlins for extending the lease of their site be invested in the seafront on their doorstep? Or, dare I say it, will the revamp of the seafront be a scheme which is done on the cheap?"

As reported, the strategy divides the seafront into zones for different types of activities. They range from relaxation at both ends of the promenade to active where the watersports centre is intended to go.

Public art, a fitness trail and a pocket sandy beach close to the pier are other suggestions which councillors were expected to back last night.

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