Better Roads: A busy 6 months maintaining our highways in West Sussex

Almost 40,000 safety related defects on highways across West Sussex have been repaired between April and September as we retain our commitment to better roads.

This year the council invested an extra £13 million to actively tackle the problem of our deteriorating roads and keep the county moving.

This was in addition to the base budget for the year of £42.8 million and £2.1 million received from the Department for Transport’s Road Resurfacing Fund.

Preparing for winter

Preparing for winter

Ahead of the coming winter months, we are increasing work to clear drainage systems and ensure water can run off the roads as effectively as possible should we get more heavy rain, providing extra resources to clear more gullies, ditches and areas where leaves build up.

So far this year, we have carried out more than 43,000 drainage gully cleanses, brought in extra CCTV resource to monitor and identify issues, and provided an additional jetting unit to clear flooded areas and get them moving as soon as possible.

West Sussex County Council’s Highways Team will continue this work over the coming months and is calling on road users to help keep the network open by continuing to report any issues you encounter using our online reporting tool.

Planting Season

Our planting season has begun, with West Sussex securing 300 trees to be planted around the county.  This year we have 85 new trees kindly donated by our Parishes and our Donate a Tree Scheme.  West Sussex supplied approximately 91 replacements and 124 new trees to be planted.  If you are fortunate to have a new tree planted near you, please help by watering it, no amount of water is too much. 

For more information on tree planting or if you would like to participate in our Donate a Tree Scheme please visit our web pages Tree planting - West Sussex County Council

Scheme Updates

Pedestrian Crossing refurbishment on Haslett Avenue East, Hawth Avenue, Crawley

Part of the Halogen Bulb Replacement Programme works to refurbish the crossing to a more efficient and green crossing from 11th November for approximately 6 weeks between 09:30 – 15:30. The works will include decommissioning of current pedestrian crossing and signals and installation of upgraded crossing, new signal poles, signal heads and controller. There will be overnight road closure from 18th November 2024 to 21st November between 8pm to 2am. Multi Way traffic management will be in place throughout the works. Further details on one.network.

Community Highway scheme at Southwater

Road Closure on Wallage Lane, Rowfant, Crawley

Planned works to repair and install new drainage system to prevent flooding to start from 9^th to 17^th December 2024. There will be full road closure with route diversions signed on site. Further details can be found on one.network.

‘Road Safety Theatre in Education’ performance at Felpham Community College

On Monday 14^th October, two ‘Road Safety Theatre in Education’ performances were put on at Felpham Community College; one for Year 7 and the other for Year 11 students. These performances are arranged by theatre company ‘Rapport Ltd.’, in collaboration with the ‘Sussex Safer Roads Partnership’, with whom WSCC are partners.

The Year 7 performance is called ‘Look Up’ and teaches students about the importance of pedestrian safety. It also covers how to spot hazards on a journey as a pedestrian, the importance of using our senses in road safety and how to think like a driver to become more aware of the impact behaviour has on safety.

The Year 11 performance is called ‘Take a Second’ and students learn about the impact of their own behaviours. It covers how to be a safer passenger actively, the impact of speed on an accident, the dangers of distracting a driver, drink and drugs and how to speak up to stay safe in a car.

Councillor Jaine Wild (for Felpham) attended the Year 7 performance and commented: -

“I attended the 2024 tour for Road Safety ‘Theatre in Education’ at Felpham Community College and must say how impressed I was. The engagement with students watching was first class and the team also interacted with the students asking individuals to come up and share situations. The theme was based on modern times, of children head down crossing roads looking at mobile phones or wearing head phones and hoods up. This would of immediately struck a chord with the age group they were entertaining. We also had visual slides and sounds. The students would have been able to connect with the three main characters acting, and I was greatly impressed overall with the performance which would of made the students think. I personally would like to also see a theatre group for younger children, primary age who would be riding bikes to school for the first time. But overall a great production and certainly in terms of cost, worth it.”

 Jaine Wild, County Councillor for Felpham

Countryside Updates

Buchan Path, Buchan Country Park – Surface Improvement Works  

Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common – Footpath 66Hu – Surface Improvement Works

Plaistow – Restricted Byway 639 – Surface Improvement Works

Lancing – Bridleway 2065 – Surface Improvement Works

Horsham – Footpath 1697 – Bridge Replacement Works

Bolney – Footpath 18Bo – Surface Improvement Works

Hassocks – Bridleway 8C – Surface Improvement Works

Aldingbourne – Footpath 300 – Surface Improvement Works

King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP)

The final section of the King Charles III England Coast Path in West Sussex, between East Head and South Hayling, was approved on the 16^th July 2024 by the Secretary of State.

Work is now underway to prepare the new stretch of coast path for public use. The first step is to contact owners and occupiers of the affected land to discuss the design and location of any new infrastructure which is needed, such as signs and gates. There will also be improvements to path surfaces and new sections of path for the public to enjoy.

When preparations are complete, new access rights will come into force along the route and adjoining spreading room.

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