Laura takes another road trip - this time literally - to Brighton, to look at an infamous cycle route alongside a dual carriageway.
Laura’s guide, Chris Todd, formerly of campaigning organisation, Transport Action Network, wants improvements to a dangerous four-mile stretch of shared use pavement along the A27 in East Sussex.
While a hardy few use the path, which is part of National Cycle Network route 90, it's a gap in an otherwise safe network connecting Brighton and its universities with the South Downs National Park, and nearby villages.
The road is owned by the trunk roads body, National Highways, and Todd feels they aren’t doing enough to protect path users. National Highways recently resurfaced the path where it crosses a slip road, where a new Greggs bakery is being built. Todd says to protect workers on the path, one lane of the road was closed, the speed limit was reduced, and a metal barrier installed, and yet path users get no protection at all - just a narrow strip of grass.
National Highways says safety is its top priority and points to its work on a different part of the A27, where they built an excellent 10km route to the east of Lewes, set back from the road. However, the terrifying section remains.
National Highways added they continue to work closely with partners including Sussex Police to monitor safety on the route. There is £27bn for the current five year Road Investment Strategy, £55m for active travel. The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust says there are no plans to upgrade this route.
Links: Cyclists urge upgrades to 'dangerous' A27 cycle path: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c142ygpj3ryo
Laura's Substack post on the A27 route: https://open.substack.com/pub/lauralaker/p/your-life-in-their-hands-on-the-other
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