Felpham Way, Bognor

OS 1937-61

Modern Map

View this cycle track's location on the big map.

Date opened/built:

1938.

Length:

0.65 mile (1,042 metres).

Width:

6ft (1.83m).

Adjoining footway:

Yes.

Road type:

Urban dual carriageway.

Surface:

Modern asphalt.

Both sides of road:

Yes, mostly.

Adjacent to social housing:

No.

Start:

https://goo.gl/maps/RBwERiYgJX57QbjLA

End:

https://goo.gl/maps/XafBMuU4Vn3fmMHM9

Period mapping:

OS Six inch revised 1939 to 1940, published 1950 https://maps.nls.uk/view/101436057 No cycle tracks marked.

OpenCycleMap status:

https://www.opencyclemap.org/?zoom=17&lat=50.79139&lon=-0.65687&layers=B0000 Cycleway on both sides until (non-period) roundabout, then one side only. No footways marked.

Sources:

Period maps, newspaper reports.

Narrow cycle track on Felpham Way with adjacent narrow footway.

Originally known as Felpham Bypass, this road’s name was changed to Felpham Way in 1939. The bypass had been first suggested in 1934. MoT approval for West Sussex County Council’s plan was granted in 1936. Despite “considerable opposition” a public inquiry in 1937 found in favour of the bypass and it was opened with 20 months, which was a reasonably fast build for the time.

In 1937 a newspaper stated that “provision would also be made for the construction of two six feet cycle tracks when required.”

The cycle tracks and footways seen on Felpham Way today look 1930s in origin. It therefore seems likely that they were installed at the same time that the road was built.

However, an OS 25 inch map surveyed in 1940 and published in 1947 appears to show that the bypass was narrow, and had only one footpath. While it’s worth noting that OS maps were often inaccurate, especially when displaying new roads, it cannot be ruled out that the cycle tracks and adjoining footways on Felpham Way were installed several years after the building of the bypass.

NOTES

Originally known as Felpham Bypass ... West Sussex Gazette, 26 January 1939.

The bypass had been ... “A BY-PASS ROAD NEEDED” West Sussex Gazette, 1 February 1934.

MoT approval for ... “Mr Hore-Belisha Minister of Transport, has made a grant from the Road Fund , on the application of West Sussex County Council towards the cost of building a new road, about two-thirds of a mile long , to by-pass the village of Felpham on the route from Bognor to Littlehampton. The scheme is estimated to cost £ 23, 500.” The Scotsman, 29 September 1936.

Despite “considerable opposition” ... “FELPHAM BY-PASS INQUIRY. The inquiry was held by an Inspector of the Ministry of Transport following the application of the County Council for confirmation of an order to acquire compulsorily certain lands to by-pass Felpham and construct a new road. There was considerable opposition.” Hampshire Telegraph, 5 March 1937.

In 1937 a newspaper ... “Length 1103 yards, 20 feet carriageway, and five feet pathway ... provision would also be made for the construction of two six feet cycle tracks when required.” Bognor Regis Observer, 3 March 1937. “The Felpham by-pass was in operation on Saturday. Think it is a great improvement myself, although I heard it criticised as being too narrow.” Bognor Regis Observer, 26 October 1938.

However, an OS 25 inch map ... https://maps.nls.uk/view/103675000

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