Background
Haywards Heath town centre has been identified as a priority area for investment and the scheme proposals are underpinned by the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 (opens in new window). The West Sussex Transport Plan is the County Council’s approach to investment in, and management of, the transport network in order to plan for future transport needs.
South Road serves as one of the main commercial and retail areas in Haywards Heath. The area has been developed to transform a key central street and create the canvas for a more animated and inclusive public life. A carefully balanced approach focuses on creating a more attractive, accessible and user-friendly space; with high quality transport links and good provision for people walking, wheeling and cycling*. The aim is to make Haywards Heath a place where residents and visitors want to spend time, helping to support sustainable economic growth.
You may be aware of our previous proposals for the area, which we asked for feedback on between June and July 2022. For more information about this, please read about the original Haywards Heath scheme outline (opens in new window). This included proposed improvements for South Road and Commercial Square in Haywards Heath town centre. It was anticipated that the scheme would be delivered using a combination of public-sector government funding, and Section 106 developer contributions.
Feedback on the scheme was overwhelmingly positive, and the majority of respondents supported the proposals during the 2022 public consultation.
The original 2022 proposals are no longer affordable within the current funding framework. The scheme must now be funded solely by developer contributions that can only be spent on "sustainable transport measures", i.e. not pot hole repairs. Therefore, to ensure the scheme priorities can be delivered, we have updated the designs.
We are now seeking feedback on the revised proposals, which prioritise enhancements on South Road for people walking, wheeling and cycling. These updates allow the scheme to be delivered at a lower cost, while still providing valuable benefits to the area.
You can read more about the updated designs below.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to participate and have your say before 2nd March 2026.
*When we use the terms walking and wheeling, we are referring to anyone moving as a pedestrian. This includes individuals walking or wheeling unaided, as well as those using any kind of wheeled mobility aid, such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking frames, prams, or buggies. Wheeling is a term that many, but not all, disabled people identify with.
About the proposals
The proposed improvements extend along South Road in Haywards Heath town centre, between the junction with Church Road and the Hazelgrove Road/ Sussex Road roundabout.
The scheme aims to improve the look and feel of the area, and make it more attractive for people walking, wheeling and cycling. We also want to reduce vehicle dominance by discouraging through-traffic and slowing down vehicles. The proposed improvements are concentrated around the main town centre shops on South Road.
A summary of the proposals is given below.
- Widen footways to create a safer environment for people walking and wheeling.
- Remove guard railing to improve the look and feel of the area.
- New surfacing and pavement improvements.
- New street furniture, such as benches, planting, and cycle parking.
- Introduce dedicated loading and parking bays.
Please refer to the Engagement Maps for a detailed overview of the proposals:
The images below show what the improvements could look like.
A visualisation showing the proposed improvements on South Road.
A visualisation showing the proposed improvements near the junction with South Road and Haywards Road.
The proposals have been designed in accordance with national design guidance for walking and cycling, including the Local Transport Note (LTN 1/20) (opens in new window) and Manual for Streets (opens in new window). The impact of the scheme on all road users has been considered, to ensure that the needs of everyone are met, whilst facilitating safer and easier journeys for cyclists and pedestrians.
The scheme will deliver the following benefits:
- Improve the look and feel of the area.
- Make it safer and easier for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
- Increase footfall and encourage more people to visit the area.
- Support local businesses and encourage commercial regeneration.
Have your say at our Public Drop-in Event!
Between 19 January and 2 March 2026, we want to hear your views on the proposed improvements on South Road. Your feedback is important to us and will help shape the designs moving forward.
Please take this opportunity to let us know what you think by completing our survey, which can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.
We are also holding a public drop-in event where you can speak to a member of the project team and ask questions about the scheme. The event will take place on:
You can have your say by completing our Engagement Survey from 19 January 2026
Privacy Statement: West Sussex County Council Highways Transport and Planning Team will collect some personal data (e.g. age, sex) in fulfilment of a statutory duty. We will process this data in accordance with the 2018 Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulations and any subsequent relevant legislation. West Sussex County Council are registered as Data Controllers (Reg. No. Z6413427). For further information about our Data Controllers, please see our West Sussex County Council Privacy Policy (opens in new window). Data will be held for as long as necessary in order to fulfil contract requirements.
The data will be collected, processed and analysed by our consultants, WSP, on behalf of West Sussex County Council for the purpose of this engagement only. For further information about WSP’s data protection policy please see WSP's Privacy Policy (opens in new window).
Alternative Formats: If you require any of the information for this project in an alternative format, please contact us on 01243 642105 or via email at activetravel@westsussex.gov.uk and we will do our best to assist you. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 01243 642105. For more information about the accessibility of this website, please see our Accessibility tab (opens in new window) at the foot of the page.
Survey web browser compatibility: Please use one of the browsers below when completing the survey to ensure it looks and works as it should. These are:
- Microsoft Edge version 86 and above
- Chrome version 86 and above
- Firefox version 78 and above
- Safari version 14 and above
Background
Haywards Heath town centre has been identified as a priority area for investment and the scheme proposals are underpinned by the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 (opens in new window). The West Sussex Transport Plan is the County Council’s approach to investment in, and management of, the transport network in order to plan for future transport needs.
South Road serves as one of the main commercial and retail areas in Haywards Heath. The area has been developed to transform a key central street and create the canvas for a more animated and inclusive public life. A carefully balanced approach focuses on creating a more attractive, accessible and user-friendly space; with high quality transport links and good provision for people walking, wheeling and cycling*. The aim is to make Haywards Heath a place where residents and visitors want to spend time, helping to support sustainable economic growth.
You may be aware of our previous proposals for the area, which we asked for feedback on between June and July 2022. For more information about this, please read about the original Haywards Heath scheme outline (opens in new window). This included proposed improvements for South Road and Commercial Square in Haywards Heath town centre. It was anticipated that the scheme would be delivered using a combination of public-sector government funding, and Section 106 developer contributions.
Feedback on the scheme was overwhelmingly positive, and the majority of respondents supported the proposals during the 2022 public consultation.
The original 2022 proposals are no longer affordable within the current funding framework. The scheme must now be funded solely by developer contributions that can only be spent on "sustainable transport measures", i.e. not pot hole repairs. Therefore, to ensure the scheme priorities can be delivered, we have updated the designs.
We are now seeking feedback on the revised proposals, which prioritise enhancements on South Road for people walking, wheeling and cycling. These updates allow the scheme to be delivered at a lower cost, while still providing valuable benefits to the area.
You can read more about the updated designs below.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to participate and have your say before 2nd March 2026.
*When we use the terms walking and wheeling, we are referring to anyone moving as a pedestrian. This includes individuals walking or wheeling unaided, as well as those using any kind of wheeled mobility aid, such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking frames, prams, or buggies. Wheeling is a term that many, but not all, disabled people identify with.
About the proposals
The proposed improvements extend along South Road in Haywards Heath town centre, between the junction with Church Road and the Hazelgrove Road/ Sussex Road roundabout.
The scheme aims to improve the look and feel of the area, and make it more attractive for people walking, wheeling and cycling. We also want to reduce vehicle dominance by discouraging through-traffic and slowing down vehicles. The proposed improvements are concentrated around the main town centre shops on South Road.
A summary of the proposals is given below.
- Widen footways to create a safer environment for people walking and wheeling.
- Remove guard railing to improve the look and feel of the area.
- New surfacing and pavement improvements.
- New street furniture, such as benches, planting, and cycle parking.
- Introduce dedicated loading and parking bays.
Please refer to the Engagement Maps for a detailed overview of the proposals:
The images below show what the improvements could look like.
A visualisation showing the proposed improvements on South Road.
A visualisation showing the proposed improvements near the junction with South Road and Haywards Road.
The proposals have been designed in accordance with national design guidance for walking and cycling, including the Local Transport Note (LTN 1/20) (opens in new window) and Manual for Streets (opens in new window). The impact of the scheme on all road users has been considered, to ensure that the needs of everyone are met, whilst facilitating safer and easier journeys for cyclists and pedestrians.
The scheme will deliver the following benefits:
- Improve the look and feel of the area.
- Make it safer and easier for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
- Increase footfall and encourage more people to visit the area.
- Support local businesses and encourage commercial regeneration.
Have your say at our Public Drop-in Event!
Between 19 January and 2 March 2026, we want to hear your views on the proposed improvements on South Road. Your feedback is important to us and will help shape the designs moving forward.
Please take this opportunity to let us know what you think by completing our survey, which can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.
We are also holding a public drop-in event where you can speak to a member of the project team and ask questions about the scheme. The event will take place on:
You can have your say by completing our Engagement Survey from 19 January 2026
Privacy Statement: West Sussex County Council Highways Transport and Planning Team will collect some personal data (e.g. age, sex) in fulfilment of a statutory duty. We will process this data in accordance with the 2018 Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulations and any subsequent relevant legislation. West Sussex County Council are registered as Data Controllers (Reg. No. Z6413427). For further information about our Data Controllers, please see our West Sussex County Council Privacy Policy (opens in new window). Data will be held for as long as necessary in order to fulfil contract requirements.
The data will be collected, processed and analysed by our consultants, WSP, on behalf of West Sussex County Council for the purpose of this engagement only. For further information about WSP’s data protection policy please see WSP's Privacy Policy (opens in new window).
Alternative Formats: If you require any of the information for this project in an alternative format, please contact us on 01243 642105 or via email at activetravel@westsussex.gov.uk and we will do our best to assist you. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 01243 642105. For more information about the accessibility of this website, please see our Accessibility tab (opens in new window) at the foot of the page.
Survey web browser compatibility: Please use one of the browsers below when completing the survey to ensure it looks and works as it should. These are:
- Microsoft Edge version 86 and above
- Chrome version 86 and above
- Firefox version 78 and above
- Safari version 14 and above
