Traffic-free zone proposed for Horsham town centre

Members of the Horsham Society say that making the town centre only accessible for pedestrians and cyclists could help to boost trade.

Their proposals include blocking off traffic from the eastern half of Blackhorse Way, the Causeway and the Carfax.

They say that the western half of Blackhorse Way would remain an access route but would be ‘shut off along with its unsightly bins and rear entries to shops.’

It is suggested that access to St Mary’s Church, currently via the Causeway, could instead be via Denne Road and Normandy.

Parking at Hewell’s Manor off the Causeway could, instead, it is suggested, be incorporated at the Blackhorse Way Forum car park.

Under the proposals, all buses would start and leave from the bus station by Horsham Library. Albion Way would be a single carriageway in each direction on the current outer part of the dual carriageway and the inner road would be split with one half for buses and the other for cyclists.

In a report written by Horsham Society member Oliver Farley, he suggests: “Along this inner section there would be a series of bus stops counting from the present one at the small grocers at Park Way/East Street, round to another at Copnall Way to serve the new hotel, another at Medwin Walk, on to the present one at the M&S car park, then at the Bishopric and round to the bus station.

“Buses would come down the Worthing Road or the Bishopric and travel around Albion Way to Springfield Road, on up North Parade along Hurst Road and down North Street to Park Way where they would turn to travel the length of Albion Way and then turn up to the bus station.

“This would bind in the station and the development of Hurst Road into the town and leave the centre traffic free.”

He adds: “The big advantage of this scheme is that it would restore the town centre to its citizens, reconnect with the park and link in the station as a prime entry point to the town.

“With a ring of easily reached bus stops along Albion Way, access on foot to the Carfax is simple and the inner town can become once more a centre for its residents and visitors alike.”