ROLLS-ROYCE COMPLETES NEW CIRCULAR FOOTPATH ROUTE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY – AutoMart Canada

• Rolls-Royce opens new permissive footpath linking upgraded
  Footpaths 416 and 417
• Creates ‘clean boots’ circular walk around Westhampnett and Home
  of Rolls-Royce
• Fully accessible route, usable year-round by residents, visitors
  and local schoolchildren
• Works go beyond the scope of the planning permission obligations
  for the marque’s extension
• Instigated and funded by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, in consultation
  with residents

 

“We have always considered ourselves part of the local community,
and actively seek out opportunities to be a good neighbour and bring
tangible benefits to the surrounding area. Opening this new
permissive footpath is the culmination of a year-long project to
improve access and infrastructure, as part of our commitment to
supporting the wider ‘green travel’ agenda. For the first time in
living memory, these historic rights of way are now fully accessible
to everyone, all year round, and provide a real, practical
alternative to the car for short journeys between the villages,
including walking children to and from school. It’s been our
privilege and pleasure to undertake these improvements, and we’re
grateful to the Parish and County Councils, and local residents, for
their support and enthusiasm throughout.”

Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is delighted to announce the
opening of a new permissive footpath completing a long-term programme
of improvements to ancient rights of way. The route serves the
villages adjoining the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. Councillor
Jeremy Hunt, West Sussex County Council, was the guest of honour
during a ceremonial walk, hosted by Werner Lulay, Director of Finance
at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, to mark the official opening of the newly
opened footpath.

Running parallel to an existing bridleway, the new footpath
connects two historic rights of way – Footpaths 416 and 417 – for the
first time, to create a ‘clean boots’ circular walk around
Westhampnett and the Home of Rolls-Royce. Over the past year, both
footpaths have been comprehensively upgraded to provide year-round,
all-weather access. Prior to these improvements, they were narrow,
badly overgrown and so muddy as to be all-but impassable in wet weather.

Footpath 416, linking the villages of Westerton and
Westhampnett, was opened in August 2024 following resurfacing to
coincide with the start of the new academic year. Similar works to
widen, resurface and landscape Footpath 417 were completed in December
2024, and inaugurated by local Chichester MP, Jess Fuller-Brown. Both
footpaths have already proved popular with local residents,
particularly children attending The March CE Primary School in
Westhampnett, as well as their families, and visitors exploring this
beautiful corner of West Sussex.

The improvements to the existing footpaths, and the creation of
the new link, have all been instigated and funded by Rolls-Royce Motor
Cars, in close consultation with Westhampnett Parish Council and West
Sussex County Council.