Worthing: Plans For Pedestrian Avenue From Centre To Seafront

Plans to create an attractive pedestrianised avenue between the seafront and town centre which can be used for community events and mini-festivals are set to be drawn up by Worthing Borough Council.

A centre for the design will be Montague Place, which officials described as, historically, containing "a peaceful open space" until the rise of motorised transport saw it turned into car parking, loading bays and drop-off point with turning circle.

With the COVID pandemic requiring more space in public areas, the Council introduced emergency road closures in the area and relocated parking spaces to allow local traders and businesses the chance to utilise the space.

But this week, the local authority said it wants to go a step further — making permanent the closure to traffic and providing flexible open space which can be used for cultural events, pop-up markets and community festivals.

It is also intended to equip the zone with free WiFi and landscaping.

Funding to draw up detailed plans is set to be released by Adur & Worthing Councils’ Joint Strategic Committee at a town hall meeting today (Tuesday, July 13th).

The two-phase proposal would support further improvements to the town centre’s public realm with schemes in Portland Road and Railway Approach already being delivered in partnership with West Sussex County Council.

Cllr Kevin Jenkins, Executive Member for Regeneration on Conservative-led Worthing Borough Council, said:

“As an under-used corridor between our popular seafront and town centre, Montague Place has so much potential and we’re confident that we can create a safe, exciting and inviting space for people of all ages to gather.

“The aim is to make better use of this under-used area in the long term.

"We know this will take time though, which is why we are keen to use the period it takes to draw up detailed plans to try out a number of options in the short term.

"These temporary changes will build on the feedback we have already received during the road closure of the last 12 months.

“We acknowledge that the proposals may have some impact on a small number of businesses and motorists.

"But we believe this opportunity to turn Montague Place into a real heartbeat of our town centre is too good not to pursue.”

The report to be discussed by senior councillors next week notes that the transformation of Montague Place will support the revitalisation of the town centre and economic recovery post-pandemic.

However, Labour councillors in Worthing Borough felt the idea lacked imagination, and didn't integrate with a bigger vision for the town.

Cllr Beccy Cooper said:

"The Labour Group welcomes any fresh look at our town centre, but this development does not construe a fresh approach, particularly given that the recent Portland Road development is being cited as a model for this work.

"Piecemeal development of Worthing in this manner will result in more of what we have - neglected streets that have no sense of the great character and potential of our seaside town. 

The town centre needs less concrete, more imagination and a strong partnership with our local communities to provide it with the new lease of life that it so desperately needs."

Councillors are set to agree to creating temporary improvements to Montague Place by November which will allow the Council to work with the local community to trial new ideas and explore different layouts of the street. 

Possible short-term uses include pocket parks, events space and continental style “spill out” areas for local businesses to serve food and drink.