£23m project to dual A2300 in Burgess Hill set to start soon – but concerns raised over safety for horse riders

West Sussex County Council says the £23million road scheme will support the provision of more than 3,500 new homes as part of the Northern Arc, and jobs, as well as cutting congestion and pollution.

But Mid Sussex Area Bridleways Group (MSABG) says turning the road into a dual carriageway will endanger horse riders.

The independent voluntary organisation, which aims to protect and improve bridleways and equestrian access in the district, says there will be no safe access for riders – ‘discriminating against them’.

Sue Wylde, chairman of MSABG, said: “Equestrians, cyclists, runners and walkers presently use the quiet lanes of Jobs Lane, Pookbourne Lane, Stairbridge Lane and Bishopstone Lane as part of a circular route, crossing the A2300 at Pookbourne Lane and Bishopstone Lane, and the bridleway network especially in and around the Hickstead showground.

“Access to these lanes will be cut off by the proposed dualling of the A2300 and no provision for non-motorised users (NMUs) crossing the road has been included in the plan.

“Requests for suitable crossings have been rejected out of hand.”

Sue added: “MSABG considers that the highways authority is discriminating against horse riders by barring their access along routes that they previously used.”

Sue said the highway authority was consulted about the installation of a horse-friendly pegasus crossing and has said such a crossing will not be permitted due to the A2300 being classified as a high speed road.

Two-lane new carriageway

The project will upgrade the existing single carriageway to a dual carriageway between the A23 and the proposed Northern Arc roundabout.

It will involve building a two-lane new carriageway immediately north of the existing road – which will become the new eastbound carriageway.

The county council says the scheme will provide new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists to help promote sustainable transport.

‘Huge benefits’

Roger Elkins, county council cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “This is arguably the most significant road building project for the county council since the A24 Ashington Bypass was built in the 1990s.

“The A2300 is an important route for people commuting to and from Burgess Hill and links the town to the A23/M23 strategic road corridor.

“A significant amount of residential and commercial development is planned for the north and north-west of Burgess Hill which, if the road wasn’t dualled, would exacerbate the current traffic issues on the A2300.

“Instead, this project will lead to huge benefits for the district in cutting congestion and boosting the local economy by supporting the provision of new jobs, new homes and workspace.”

Steve Horton, regional director for contractor Jackson Civil Engineering, said: “We are looking forward to working closely with West Sussex County Council on this key infrastructure project to improve the journeys for local communities and businesses in the region.

“The safety of both our workforce and the public is always our top priority and works will be carried out in line with the current Government guidance on COVID-19. Construction of this nature will involve some disruption for the public but we will work with the county council’s project team to try to minimise this as much as possible.”

‘Delight’

The ‘vital’ upgrade for the road has been welcomed.

Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke, Mid Sussex District Council’s deputy leader, said she was ‘delighted’ that work on the A2300 was about to start.

“This work is vital in helping unlock access to housing developments in the Northern Arc, the associated infrastructure that will be built alongside it, and in providing direct routes to the proposed areas of employment space,” she said.

Arundel & South Downs MP Andrew Griffith said he was pleased the important project was on track.

“When council planners tell us we need more homes, it is essential that there is the infrastructure in place to support these and it’s good to see the government making the investment available.

“I am particularly pleased that sustainability is at the heart of the project with safer cycleways and better pedestrian paths.”

The scheme is jointly funded by central government through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Deal, developer contributions and the county council.