Come and have a peek at Pier Road! - 11th March 2015 | Latest news

 

Pier Road traders showed off their wares and invited the public to come and visit their parade of shops, now that the road has reopened to traffic.

They gathered yesterday to celebrate the completion of the latest phase of the development which has seen the promenade opposite their businesses widened and the area rejuvenated.

The traders stayed open while the improvements were being made. Work to transform the whole riverside area of Littlehampton is nearly complete.

The whole East Bank section is being revitalised as part of an ongoing regeneration project with the addition of new street furniture, lighting columns and coastal style planting.  

The improvements to the waterfront will provide a strong link between the town and beach and, along with the new signage which has been popping up in Littlehampton, will help visitors navigate their way around the town centre.

West Sussex County Council has made improvements to the footpath outside the Pier Road shops and resurfaced the road so it matches the colour of the boardwalk.

The work complements the recently-completed £14 million flood defence scheme, led by the Environment Agency with £2.3 million partnership funding from Arun District Council and West Sussex County Council.

In a poll published in The Times today, Littlehampton was named as one of the top 30 places to live by the sea. Coming in at number 16, the town was praised for its beaches, proximity to the South Downs and the influx of investment and new riverside developments.

Cllr Terence Chapman, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services at Arun District Council, said: “Pier Road traders have remained open for business throughout the work and we are delighted to declare the road officially open too!

“The area has been completely transformed and it’s already proving to be a real draw for locals and we hope to see business boom for the traders.”

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Pieter Montyn, said: “It is great to see Pier Road re-open to traffic again. It will be a new era for the area once all construction has finished.

“It has taken some time to get to this point, but now we can see the benefit and potential for this area in the future.”

David Robinson, Operations Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “When completed the project will protect 748 residential and 340 commercial properties, as well as provide significant enhancements to the town and create valuable wildlife habitat.

“This investment provides excellent value for money with around £188,500,000 worth of homes, businesses, local infrastructure and assets protected.”