Major household transport surveys to inform Bognor Regis Regeneration

Residents of Bognor Regis are being asked by St Modwen Developments to get involved in a major transport and travel habits survey starting in the next couple of weeks. The survey forms part of an extensive research and consultation programme being undertaken by the developer to inform the proposals for the regeneration of the Regis Centre and Hothamton sites in Bognor Regis.

St Modwen has appointed transport consultants Halcrow to conduct the surveys. Halcrow has over 40 years experience carrying out transport surveys and research and specialises in the provision of planning, design and management services for infrastructure development worldwide.

The surveys will be carried out across 700 households, randomly selected from the electoral roll. The selected parties will shortly receive letters from Halcrow that fully explain the process. Those being surveyed will be asked a series of short questions on their travel habits and the make-up of their household. All household members will then be asked to keep a travel diary for a day, recording their journeys and mode of transport.

Alongside additional roadside traffic counts, which will take place at the same time and other transport studies, the household study will enable Halcrow to build up an accurate picture of how people move in and around Bognor Regis and provide a full understanding of the town’s transport needs. The results will inform St Modwen’s infrastructure design proposals and, most importantly, its transport strategy, which will form a significant part of the future planning applications.

Gary Morris, Senior Development Manager at St Modwen, comments:
“For the two schemes to work within the town and to ensure they link effectively into the town’s existing road network without placing undue pressure on it, access to the two sites and easy flow around Bognor Regis as a whole is critical. It is essential therefore that we take account of the way people travel in and around Bognor Regis and how this might evolve over time. This will not only ensure we understand how our sites need to be designed with traffic and transport issues in mind, but should also allow us to highlight any local traffic pressure points that our transport strategy may be able to address.

"These studies reflect St Modwen and the professional team’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that proposals for the regeneration of the Regis Centre and Hothamton sites are as fully informed, up-to-date and future predictive as possible."

St Modwen has been in talks with both West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council regarding the transport surveys to ensure they compliment the Councils’ own research into transport and travel provision.

For Further Media Information:
Jo Sistern or Natalie Moorse at Community/Public Relations for St Modwen
Tel: 01483 415915