Get ready for Bognor Boris Bikes

A version of the world-famous bike sharing scheme is being considered for its first appearance along the south coast.

The easily available two wheelers will form part of the £80m Sir Richard Hotham Project regeneration scheme if it gets the go-ahead.

Thomas Elliott, the project’s managing director, said the self-hire service for short journeys would be an important element of its sustainable transport ideas.

“We are talking to a third party about the possibility of bringing Boris Bikes to the town. It will be the first time this third party has operated a scheme like that outside a capital city,” he said.

“They are looking for a south coast resort to run one in and we have been speaking to them about it.

“Having Boris Bikes here would encourage young people to get out of their cars and get on to bikes.”

Arun District Council is due to decide whether or not to grant planning permission for the project’s proposals for the Regis Centre, Hothamton and former Esplanade Theatre sites on March 30 instead of yesterday’s development control committee meeting.

The scheme comprises a 1,100 seat theatre and conference centre run by the Ambassador Theatre Group, a 48-bed hotel and an enhanced children’s play area at Hothamton off Queensway.

For the Regis Centre, there will be 65,000sq ft of shops with 16,000sq ft of leisure and recreation facilities like a spa and gym included.

A 58-bed Premier Inn and a coffee shop and dance studio for the centre’s current operator, Arun Arts, will also be included. A famous chef’s destination restaurant would be built on the skateboard park on the previous Esplanade Theatre location.

The desire to ensure as many visitors to the venues leave their cars behind is the drive to establish a Boris Bikes-type scheme.

This has been running in London for almost six years and allows users to hire bikes for as little as £2. It is named after London mayor Boris Johnson and backed by Santander Bank.

Philip Russell, the project’s transport consultant, said the intention was to create a network of cycle paths from the surrounding area to serve the facilities.

“We want to enhance cycling routes, which will be particularly advantageous during the summer months. People get on their bikes when the sun shines and this is a flat part of the country as well.”

The proposed routes would link areas such as Selsey, Birdham and the Witterings to Bognor. “We propose making use of the canal towpath and bridleways and the existing route through the lakes south of Chichester,” said Mr Russell. “There’s also a new cycle bridge over the A27 at Chichester.

“Putting people on bikes would have an overarching benefit for everyone, with fewer cars and the health benefits of cycling, not just for the regeneration scheme.”

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