FAQs

The vision is to create a place where residents and visitors alike are encouraged to visit and spend time. It is anticipated that the proposed improvements will help to achieve sustainable economic growth in Haywards Heath.

The final designs are still under development, and the proposals could change depending on the feedback received throughout this engagement. At a broad level, the scheme is looking to:

• widen footways and narrow the road in certain locations, to improve the pedestrian environment and reduce vehicle speeds
• remove guard rails to improve accessibility for people walking, wheeling and cycling
• deliver pavement and surfacing improvements to provide a more enjoyable travel experience for pedestrians
• install new street furniture including cycle parking stands, and provide additional tree planters to improve the green space and environment
• formalise parking and loading arrangements, including the introduction of dedicated loading bays and disabled parking

The scheme will be funded by Section 106 developer contributions. It is expected to cost approximately £1 million, however, a formal costing exercise will be undertaken at the detailed design phase.

The Section 106 funding available has a period of validity before they are returned to developers. Therefore, early engagement on the revised proposals is important to ensure WSCC can progress the scheme before the funding lapses.

South Road serves as one of the main commercial and retail areas in Haywards Heath. It also forms part of several projects that have been identified and developed by the Haywards Heath Town Centre Transport Study, and more recently the Haywards Heath Town Centre Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document.

The proposals on South Road will be funded solely through Section 106 contributions (S106), which are legally required to be used for specific purposes. In this case, the S106 funding must be used for measures which encourage sustainable travel. 

Funding to repair potholes and maintain roads comes from a separate fund.

The scheme will deliver benefits to people walking, wheeling and cycling in the local area. 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.

By including wheeled modes in the context of this scheme, it broadens the scope beyond walking and cycling to be more inclusive of people with diverse mobility needs and preferences.

In 2022, designs were developed for Haywards Heath, covering both the South Road area and Commercial Square. The aim of the scheme was to improve the appeal and accessibility of the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists, while reducing congestion and through traffic.

The 2022 scheme was costed at approximately £6 million, and it was expected that this would be funded through a combination of Section 106 monies and external funding sources. However, after the UK’s September 2022 mini-budget announcement, it is now unlikely that external funding sources will be available to fund the scheme.

Therefore, the scheme will now be funded solely by the Section 106 developer contributions. The original designs have been updated to ensure they can be delivered within the funding available (approximately £1m), which has meant that some elements of the original scheme have been removed or scaled back.

Since the withdrawal of the 2022 proposed scheme, we have made significant updates to better align with available funding and community needs. We are now seeking feedback on the revised proposals, which prioritise enhancements on South Road for walkers, wheelers and cyclists, and significant public realm improvements. Your feedback is crucial to help us refine the proposals and ensure they meet community expectations.

The improvements will create a strong sense of place and improve the legibility and identity of South Road, which is a key commercial and retail area in Haywards Heath. This will help increase footfall and encourage people to stay for longer, therefore helping to improve the commercial regeneration.

The potential loading restrictions in the vicinity of the Haywards Road junction may make it more difficult for disabled people to access banking services. Bullion vehicles accessing the banks may need to park further away. 

We do not expect any other disbenefits resulting from the scheme, with the exception of some minor temporary disruption during the construction period. 

There will be some slight road narrowing along certain sections of South Road to make it safer and easier for people crossing the road, but this is not expected to have any significant impact on traffic flow or journey times. 

Subject to the feedback received during this engagement exercise, we expect the scheme to be built in 2027.

Exact timescales for construction will be confirmed once the scheme programme has been agreed. More information will be provided after the engagement period, once all feedback has been analysed. 

The proposals will meet current national and local standards for transport and infrastructure design, with reference to guidelines such as Local Transport Note (LTN 1/20) and Manual for Streets.

We are not proposing to change the speed limit as part of the scheme. However, we are proposing to introduce coloured paving and road narrowing in some areas, to help calm traffic and encourage drivers to reduce their speed naturally. This approach aims to improve safety and create a more pleasant environment for walkers, wheelers and cyclists without the need for a formal speed limit change.  

As part of the scheme, we are looking to formalise loading and parking arrangements, including the introduction of dedicated loading bays and disabled parking provision. Click on the Engagement Maps under the documents section to see the proposal details. 

There is a statutory consultation process for such changes which, by law, has to take place no more than 18 months in advance of the works. We aim to consult in detail on changes to Traffic Regulation Orders during 2026, so that the outcomes can feed into the design process.

The scheme will introduce new street furniture; this could include benches, planters and cycle parking stands.

We will identify locations for additional trees in above-ground planters. Unfortunately, we will not be able to plant trees in the ground due to the large number of underground pipes and cables which would be too costly to move, given the budget limitations for the scheme.  

We will make every effort to minimise disruption during the construction period. Where temporary road closures and diversions are required, advanced warning will be given to ensure alternative routes are clearly signposted, and access to properties and businesses maintained. We will also try to schedule construction activities in a way that minimises impact on peak traffic times and community events where possible.

Updates will be provided through the West Sussex County Council and Mid Sussex District Council websites. 

You can also sign up to receive updates on the scheme using the 'Stay Informed' function on the right-hand side of the webpage.

The easiest way to have your say is to go to our website, look at the engagement material and complete the feedback survey. Paper copies can be provided on request. You can also submit questions by email to ActiveTravel@westsussex.gov.uk.

We will not be able to respond directly to everyone who submits feedback, but we will carefully consider all the feedback received and ensure the information is considered by the design team. An engagement summary report will be made available after all feedback has been analysed and considered.

We will gather and review all feedback received during the engagement period both through feedback questionnaire and public drop in event. Your views are important to us, and this is an opportunity to provide comments on the current proposed scheme to help shape the detailed design stage. We will document the process and publish the results in an Engagement Summary Report.

More detailed designs will be produced before any construction takes place and we will keep you informed.