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.
