18.02.20
West Sussex road upgrade worth £17m announced
The government has given the go ahead to a road upgrade project in West Sussex today (Feb 18), making journeys quicker, safer and more environmentally friendly for communities.
The £17m funding package, announced by Transport Minister Baroness Vere, will go into the A2300 improvement scheme aiming to reduce congestion, improve reliability for drivers and support growth in the region.
The entire A2300 improvement project, worth a total of £22m, will improve safety by transforming 2.5km of road into a dual carriageway between the A23 and the proposed Northern Arc roundabout.
Over 3,500 new houses are set to be built along the route, linking Burges Hill to the A23/M23, and new walking and cycling paths are to be included in the upgrade scheme.
The planned development at Burgess Hill will be provided with a key link to the London and Brighton Corridor allowing commuters, who are often faced with congestion and delays, a safer and more convenient option.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said:
“This government is committed to boosting transport links for communities up and down the country.
“This transformative road scheme will not only save drivers time, but will also mean more homes, more shared footpaths, and more cycleways – boosting journeys for all.”
An estimated 20,000 vehicles are recorded using the road daily during peak times and a 40% growth in traffic flow has been predicted over the next two decades if the upgrade isn’t carried out.
Work is expected to begin in the spring, with a view to reopen the road in winter 2021.
It comes as part of the government’s recent announcement of a £5bn funding package to transform local transport routes and level up infrastructure for communities across the UK.
West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure Roger Elkins said:
“This is the excellent news we have been waiting for and puts the scheme on course for starting on site this spring.”
“The scheme will widen around 2.5km of single-lane road to a dual carriageway, helping to unlock significant development opportunities, reduce congestion, and bring many other benefits to the area, including providing new walking and cycling facilities.”