FAQs
- Removing an existing traffic Island and introducing signal controls with crossing facilities at the North Parade/Wimblehurst Road junction;
- A shared use (i.e. walk / cycle) path between Hurst Road and Springfield Park; and
- A raised table at Parkfield.
Why is the scheme required?
The West Sussex Transport Plan 2022-2036 (opens in new window) sets out how the county council intends to address a number of challenges, including climate change, congestion, public health and road safety through improvements to the transport network.
Our transport plan identifies highway improvements, including bus priority at junctions and active travel infrastructure (e.g. cycle tracks and crossings) as priorities for investment in Horsham. Improvements are now being developed as part of our Strategic Transport Investment Programme (STIP).
We want to improve the facilities along the A281 Guildford Road/Old Guildford Road/Broadbridge Way/Bishopric, and North Street/Kings Road/Rusper Road corridors because they are important routes 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 on-street parking narrows the space for other users, particularly near Littlehaven station.
What were the outcomes from the Stage 1 engagement?
An initial seven-week engagement ran from 26 November 2024 to 14 January 2025 and attracted a total of 472 responses. In summary, 61% of respondents (277 responses out of 472) either supported or strongly supported the initial ideas while 26% of respondents (122 responses out of 472) opposed or strongly opposed the initial ideas.
The Engagement Summary Report provides more detail on the feedback received.
Where are the proposals for North Parade/Wimblehurst Road?
Our initial feasibility work explored the potential for improvements on North Parade, including at its junction with Wimblehurst Road. The proposals included:
Following further technical work, we have concluded that the proposed shared use path would not be feasible or desirable as it would not comply with design guidance or provide sufficient benefits to active travel users. Furthermore, we have concluded that the proposed raised table at Parkfield would not be desirable
Our proposals for the North Parade/Wimblehurst Road junction have now been included in our planned West Parade scheme which is being developed separately. The consultation and scheme details for West Parade ca be found here, West Parade Improvements, Horsham (opens in a new window)
How many collisions have taken place along these corridors?
In the last 5 years, there were 36 collisions recorded on Rusper Road, Kings Road and North Street corridor; and 21 collisions recorded on the A281 Guildford Road, some involving pedestrians and cyclists.
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 will they be 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 were these corridors selected and not others?
The County Council had initial dialogue with local stakeholders about current transport issues and the potential to make improvements. A range of corridors were considered and these two were selected because they are 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 are being developed in accordance with the latest cycle design guidance (LTN 1/20) (opens in new window).
Are you considering any bus priority measures?
The proposed improvements at the Foundry Lane/Kings Road junction could include a bus-gate on the southbound Kings Road approach. We will also seek to use traffic signal technology that can detect and prioritise late-running buses to reduce bus journey times, where appropriate.
What are the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) schemes highlighted on the technical drawings and public facing maps?
As part of the BSIP, the County Council is planning a series of improvements in Horsham that will improve bus services including:
New bus cage markings / assess existing parking restrictions / replace bus asset / bus priority at signalised junction
Raise kerbs / relocate Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) to verge / new restriction / remove old post
Minor upgrade – works to be confirmed
Minor upgrade – works to be confirmed
Replace concrete post with new post
Remove bus flag from lighting column, new bus stop post in verge
Hardstanding at rear of footway / bench replacement / bus cage / new bus stop post
Hardstanding in verge to allow for relocation of shelter
Construction of grass verge and hardstanding (fill in of existing layby). Reprofiling of footway and reinstatement of carriageway around kerbs. Installation of posts/signs. Implementation of new road markings.
Will improvements link up to existing walking/cycling infrastructure?
A key function of the walking and cycling improvements are to ensure that they meet the needs of users by linking to existing facilities and fill gaps in the existing network of facilities on Rusper Road and A281 Guildford Road, for example Tanbridge School scheme
What is the county council doing to address road maintenance issues across the County?
Please read the County Council’s Better Roads webpage (opens in new window) to find out more about the Councils approach to road maintenance.
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 consultation 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 at the next design stage, should the proposals progress.
What are the next steps?
Following the end of the consultation period, all responses will be analysed and used to help us decide the next steps for the project. If the improvements are taken forward, it will be necessary to develop business cases and undertake design, further consultation and all relevant statutory processes. We will publish a consultation report in due course to present the results of the analysis and show how the feedback has been considered.
When would you expect the improvements to be built?
The next steps for the improvements will be informed by the outcomes of this consultation exercise. Design and further 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 made a commitment that all major transport schemes will 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 BT Relay UK app (opens in new window) installed on your PC, laptop, or mobile phone, you can contact us on 18001 01243 642105.