FAQs
Why is the scheme required?
We want to improve these roads because they are important for accessing education, jobs and services. They also connect the growing communities in Broadbridge Heath and Mowbray (North Horsham development) with Horsham town centre.
These roads are currently used by high volumes of traffic during peak times, resulting in congestion, which also impacts the reliability of bus services. Safety is also a problem, with some junctions having a high number of collisions, some of which have involved pedestrians and cyclists. Facilities for walking and cycling are limited and there is lots of on-road parking that narrows the space for other users, particularly near Littlehaven station.
We want as many people as possible to be able to travel by walking, cycling and public transport whilst keeping traffic moving.
The West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 (opens in new window) sets out how the county council is intending to address a number of challenges, including climate change, congestion, public health and road safety through improvements to the transport network.
How many collisions have taken place?
In the last 5 years, there were 36 collisions recorded on Rusper Road, Kings Road and North Street; 21 collisions recorded on A281 Guildford Road; and, 5 collisions recorded at the B2237 North Parade junction with Wimblehurst Road.
What are the expected benefits of the proposals?
The improvements we are considering are expected to make walking and cycling safer and more convenient. They are also expected to make local bus services more reliable and a more attractive transport choice whilst keeping traffic moving. This could lead to a reduction in short-distance car journeys, if more journeys are made by public transport, cycling and walking.
How much will the proposals cost and how is it being funded?
At this early stage a detailed cost estimate has not yet been produced. However, we expect costs to be in line with similar improvements being delivered around the country. Cost estimates will be prepared as part of the design process and shared during a future consultation.
It is currently expected that the improvements would be funded largely using developer contributions and central Government grants that are intended for transport improvement schemes, alongside county council funding. In order to access central Government grants, it will be necessary to demonstrate in a business case that the improvements are deliverable and would provide good value for money.
Why these main roads and the B2237 North Parade/Wimblehurst Road junction?
West Sussex County Council have undertaken some initial dialogue with local councillors and officers about current transport issues and the potential to make improvements. These roads are also important for connecting the growing communities of Broadbridge Heath and Mowbray with the town centre and can be improved to benefit all road users, including public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists.
Will the improvements be designed in accordance with latest cycle design guidance (LTN 1/20)?
The designs to be developed will be designed in accordance with the latest cycle design guidance (LTN 1/20) (opens in new window).
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Are you considering any bus priority measures?
The improvements could include traffic signal technology that can detect and prioritise buses to reduce bus journey times.
Will improvements link up to existing walking/cycling infrastructure?
A key function of the walking and cycling improvements will be to ensure that they meet the needs of users by linking to existing facilities and fill gaps in existing network of facilities on Rusper Road and A281 Guildford Road.
What is the county council doing to address road maintenance issues across the County?
Information about the county council’s approach to road maintenance is available at: www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/better-roads (opens in new window) .
It is currently expected that the improvements will be largely funded using central Government grants and developer funding that cannot be used for road maintenance.
Are you considering parking issues in the local area?
We are considering how highway space is used along these roads, including for on-street parking. There is a need to balance the needs of all road users and ensure that the impacts of any changes to the highway are understood and will operate safely. The engagement survey asks for views on reallocating road space to create more space for walking, cycling and public transport and we will take this feedback into account before setting out any proposals.
What are the next steps?
Following the end of the engagement period, all responses will be analysed and used to help us decide the next steps for the project. We will share a summary engagement report on this webpage in due course. If the improvements are taken forward, feedback will be used to help develop feasibility level designs. Consultation will be undertaken to invite comment on the emerging designs of our proposals, which we expect to be undertaken in 2025.
When would you expect the improvements to be built?
The next steps for the improvements will be informed by the outcomes of this engagement period. Design and consultation would be needed before any improvements could be constructed.
Construction would be subject to a business case, all relevant statutory processes (e.g. planning) and securing central Government funding and developer contributions for delivery. Therefore, it is not possible to confirm a delivery timescale at this stage. However, it is likely to be several years before any construction could commence.
Will there be impacts on biodiversity/wildlife from the improvements?
There is the potential for localised impacts; for example, on grass verges, vegetation and wildlife, of any scheme that is taken forward. These impacts will be assessed in further detail at the next design stage, through the necessary technical assessments.
We have a commitment to ensure that all major transport schemes provide ‘biodiversity net gain’, so any impacts on biodiversity will need to be accompanied by compensatory biodiversity improvements that result in an overall measurable improvement in biodiversity.
If interventions go ahead, will there be road closures during construction?
This is unknown at this stage. Before any construction could start, a Construction Management Plan will be developed to minimise the impact on the local community as much as possible. This will detail any necessary road closures or changes to access for pedestrians and cyclists as well as diversion routes during construction. Further details of construction impacts will be made available during a future consultation.
I want to speak to a member of the project team, what should I do?
You can either email any comments or questions to the team at LTP@westsussex.gov.uk or you can telephone 01243 642105. If you are deaf and have the NGT app installed on your PC, laptop, or mobile phone, you can contact us on 18001 01243 642105.