Issue - meetings

Report by the Director of Highways and Transport.

The Committee is asked to consider a consultation by Adur & Worthing Councils in respect of the following Environment Agency proposal:

Lancing: Proposed Diversion of Part of Public Footpath 2048.

Lancing: Proposed Diversion of Part of Public Footpath 2048

6.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Highways and Transport concerning an application, upon which the County Council, as the highways authority, has been consulted by Adur & Worthing Councils.  The Environment Agency proposes to divert part of a part of public footpath 2048 between Old Shoreham Road and a bridge carrying the south coast railway to the south.  Given officers’ concerns, and that the scheme is clearly of significance and with a high profile, the Committee is asked to decide whether the County Council should object or not to the Order.  The following points, in addition to the report, were provided for the purposes of clarity:

·         It is understood it is now intended that the drainage ditch adjacent to Cecil Pashley Way will be modified to a French drain (a sculptured ditch filled with porous materials) rather than as noted in the report.

·         There are concerns regarding safety and potential conflicts between users, particularly the use by cyclists riding at speed.

6.2     Laura Floodgate, Solicitor clarified that an application for outline consent has been made but not yet granted for development at New Monks Farm.  Mr Whittington clarified that this development is not specifically mentioned in the report but it lies to the north-west of the airfield.  It will be a large residential and business development and includes plans for the realignment of roundabout junctions on the A27.  The County Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy notes this will be a key route to the town centre and railway station, which will link with the national cycling network.

6.3     Mr Graeme McClure, Project Manager, Environment Agency spoke in support of the application to Adur & Worthing Councils.  The Environment Agency intends to invest £40 million in this location to protect 2,300 houses and 390 businesses in Shoreham from the risk of tidal flooding.  The intention is to replace the existing embankment, which is in poor condition and has a low residual life; seepage was noted this January.  As recently as 2013, a flood event caused Shoreham airport to flood, temporarily closing it and the footpath.  A higher embankment is intended to protect against a 1 in 300-year flood event.  This new embankment will be further from the river and up against the ditch.  This is to replace habitat which has been lost elsewhere by building the new flood defences.  Requirement to provide habitat and the presence of the road and ditch are constraints.  However, the footpath will be an improvement on what is currently there and provides sections of wider passing places.  A section 73 amendment to the planning consent is being prepared in relation to the works on the ditch.

6.4     The Committee noted that Mrs Bridges, local member for Lancing advised she will not attend the meeting.

6.5     The Committee sought clarification on the following points:

·         Could the width of the path be improved if the drain could be moved?

The Environment Agency does not propose  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6