THERE have been calls for changes to a stretch of cycle path along Worthing’s seafront where they say there were "near misses almost every day".

The cycle path and the pedestrian walkway that runs alongside it near Splash Point have been described as "an accident waiting to happen".

Businesses in the area report seeing "confrontations" between cyclists and pedestrians "on a daily basis".

Although pedestrians and cyclists have their own separate paths on the stretch – which spans from the Splash Pad on Beach Parade to Lancing – pedestrians have to cross the cycle path to get to the beach and may also walk into it.

Artist Thomas Freer, whose studio is directly opposite the path, said: "It’s just a ridiculous place to have a cycle lane with full-speed cyclists.

"Almost every day there is something happening. Quite often it is because a child runs across the cycle path or it’s just people wandering aimlessly across the cycle path.

“Often cyclists get injured because they’re avoiding an accident and there have been several near misses and several actual incidents.”

Mr Freer first called for changes to the path in 2017, he wants it to become "shared use" with no separation between cyclists and pedestrians.

This could look much like the stretch of promenade alongside Worthing Pier where cyclists, pedestrians and dog walkers all share a space.

The path is part of Route 2 on the National Cycle Network and connects to Shoreham, Brighton and Saltdean where it continues towards Newhaven.

The stretch between Worthing and Brighton is described by Sustrans as "perfect for families".

But business owner Anthony Dickinson said there was a recent incident near his Coast cafe where a young girl "became entangled in a bike" which he said also led to injuries for a cyclist.

The Argus: A photograph by Thomas Freer of teenagers walking in the cycle pathA photograph by Thomas Freer of teenagers walking in the cycle path

He said: "The speed some of these cyclists go mean that somebody’s going to get hurt.

“You’re almost just sort of waiting for the crash, the scream and the sound of the ambulance.

“Nothing horrendous has happened yet but last week there was an incident with a cyclist who knocked a girl over. He thought he had broken his wrist and she got tangled in the bike.

The cafe owner has called on cyclists using the route to "slow down" and added they, rather than pedestrians, could be badly hurt.

“We notice the anger from cyclists on a daily basis who think it’s their right of way, that there shouldn’t be anyone on it at any point and therefore they should be able to go as fast as they like,” he said.

“It’s not necessarily the person who gets hit that could be injured, but it could be the cyclist.

“We want to tell cyclists they’re putting themselves at risk and it’s only a stretch of about 200 yards where we are asking them to go a bit slower.”

Highways authority West Sussex County Council acknowledged  the area surrounding the cycle path "has become busier" but said it was not aware of any injuries there over the last five years.

A spokesperson said: “We are not aware of any specific incidents involving injury on this stretch of cycleway in the last five years.

“Cyclists are segregated from pedestrians by way of a white line, with tactile paving at crossing points.

“There are also signs asking both pedestrians and cyclists to be considerate and aware of one another and we would ask parents and cyclists to please be mindful of the potential for children to stray into the cycle lane.

“However, it’s clear this area has become busier in recent times, with more pedestrian movements going across the cycle lane to the beach.”

The spokesperson said that the community highway scheme can be used to suggest improvements to cycle paths. Suggestions should be supported by the local community and a local county councillor in order to be considered.