Have your say on walking and cycling improvements in Burgess Hill

Mid Sussex District Council is working with West Sussex County Council to deliver the Place and Connectivity Programme.

The £21.8million programme is funded by government grant and developers’ contributions and consists of a package of projects aimed at creating improved, high quality walking and cycling routes and improved public space.

It is hoped the improvements will encourage people to choose to walk or cycle in the future.

The programme is designed to support the Burgess Hill Growth Programme – which is set to deliver housing, jobs, infrastructure and social and community facilities to the town.

Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke, deputy leader of the district council, said: “This is a fantastic programme of projects for the town which have been progressing well in the planning stages.

“While we recognise these are strange times we also need to ensure we continue to look forward and make progress where we can to support local economic activity and jobs.

“Burgess Hill will grow significantly over the next 15 years into a modern, thriving town where local people want to live and work. 

“The Place and Connectivity Programme will be important in joining up these areas, joining the dots.

“These ambitious partnership projects will deliver safe, direct and attractive routes and public spaces where people will want to go and use of walking, cycling and public transport will be encouraged in the future when coronavirus travel restrictions ease.”

Other improvements included in the programme are improved access at Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield railway stations and an enhanced town centre.

Bob Lanzer, county council cabinet member for the economy, said: “These plans represent a comprehensive package of sustainable transport and public realm improvements to support growth within Burgess Hill.

“They will also support the wider, West Sussex economic recovery following the coronavirus outbreak, so I am pleased we can move forward with online public engagement soon.

“I would encourage Burgess Hill residents, those who work in the town and those who visit it, to please take the time to give your feedback on the proposals.”

The district council confirmed the grant funding must be spent by spring 2021.

How to submit your views

Residents can give their feedback on the Place and Connectivity Programme online by visiting www.burgesshill.net.

The online platform will be live until Thursday, June 25, Mid Sussex District Council has said.

Although not a statutory requirement, the district council and county council said it would like to hear the views of the community and businesses about the projects.

But because of the coronavirus pandemic, the planned public engagement will now be hosted entirely online, confirmed a spokesman.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.