BRAKE Road Safety Week (16 - 22 November)

BRAKE (The Road Safety Charity) is launching this year’s Road Safety Week from 16 - 22 November. The theme this year is ‘Safe Vehicles Save Lives’ and will focus on the role of vehicle safety technology, such as automated driver assistance systems and seat belts, in reducing road deaths and injuries.

The campaign highlights the importance of mandatory safety technology for all new vehicles and how to ensure vehicles are roadworthy. Safe vehicles, defined as all motorised vehicles, are designed to prevent road crashes and protect people inside and outside the vehicle if a crash does happen. 

Here is more of an insight into the key aspects of the “Safe Vehicles Save Lives” theme:

Vehicle Safety Technology: 

• The campaign will raise awareness of how modern safety features (such as ‘Automated Driver Assistance’ systems) save lives by helping drivers maintain speed, brake in emergencies, and protect occupants.

Roadworthiness: 

• There is an emphasis on raising awareness about the importance of ensuring vehicles are maintained to the highest standards, and always in a roadworthy condition before every journey. 

Government Mandates: 

• A central goal of the campaign is to urge the UK government to mandate life-saving technologies in all new vehicles, aligning with existing European regulations. 

Preventing Crashes & Reducing Harm by: 

• Educating the public on how vehicles themselves can be designed to prevent crashes and minimize injuries when collisions do occur. Automated driver assistance systems keep vehicles in the right lane and below speed limits, detect hazards and brake in an emergency.
• Protect people inside and outside the vehicle - Seatbelts, airbags and ‘forgiving’ vehicle parts protect people inside and outside the vehicle in a crash. Vehicles must pass stringent crash tests.
• Manage driver safety - Vehicle technology detects unsafe driving behaviour (e.g. due to tiredness) and informs authorities.

Support for Victims: 

• The campaign will also share the stories of road crash victims, demonstrating the devastating impact of collisions and how safe vehicles can help prevent them.

In 2024, there were 19 fatalities and 504 serious injuries in West Sussex, resulting from a Road Traffic Crash (RTC). By sharing this campaign with our residents, it helps to support our Road Safety Strategy and aspiration to make a difference.

Closes Monday 27 October 2025: Have your say on proposals to improve the A24 between Worthing, Horsham and Dorking

West Sussex County Council and Surrey County Council are inviting public feedback on proposals to improve the A24 between Worthing, Horsham and Dorking. 

The proposals aim to make walking, cycling and public transport more attractive options for journeys and improve the standard of our roads. The West Sussex Transport Plan and Surrey Transport Plan set out how the councils intend to address a number of challenges, including climate change, congestion, public health and road safety through improvements to the transport network.

Improving the A24 Corridor

The A24 between Worthing, Horsham and Dorking is a vital route for access to jobs, education and local services. However, high traffic levels lead to congestion, noise and air pollution.

We’re exploring improvements to key junctions to boost capacity and safety, alongside measures to make bus services more reliable and active travel—like walking and cycling—safer and more appealing. These changes aim to reduce car use by encouraging more short trips to be made by public transport or on foot or bike.

The types of improvements that we are considering along the route include:

• Junction capacity improvements
• Bus priority and bus stop improvements
• Walking and cycling path improvements
• Crossing facilities for people walking, cycling and horse-riding
• Road safety improvements including junction modifications, safety barriers and speed limit changes

The scheme is at an early stage of development and future delivery is likely to depend on securing Government grant funding, so it may be several years before construction could commence on the larger scale schemes.

The consultation opened on Tuesday 16 September and closes at 23:55 on Monday 27 October 2025 

Tackling flood risk at the source  

Flooding is often blamed on heavy rain, but the cause could start many miles away from an overgrown ditch, blocked brook, or water running off a development. On their own they seem small and unconnected but can add up to create a flood risk. Our new Local Flood Risk Management Strategy uses a catchment-based approach to understand how water moves through an area to find the source of the problem. Then we can plan how to remove or minimise the flood risk before heavy rain comes, to protect the surrounding communities. We explain how it works hereCounty Council’s new strategy tracks flood risk to the source - West Sussex County Council

Autumn Watercourse Advice

If you are a landowner who has responsibility for the maintenance of an ordinary watercourse running through or alongside your property you are known as a Riparian Owner. These are some of the things you should be thinking of this Autumn and heading into Winter.

• Inspect your watercourse, checking that it is free flowing. 

• So long as it is safe to do so, and water levels are sufficiently low, rake out and remove any debris and litter that may have accumulated.  This may need to be done more frequently at this time of year due to leaf fall. 

• Cut back the vegetation from one embankment side, alternating with the opposite bank next year, maintaining roots to keep a strong and supported bank. 

• Cut back and remove any low hanging branches from trees and bushes that could hinder flow and/or access. 

• Advise your neighbours if you can see any issues within their section of watercourse that they may need to address. Find out more  Managing flood risk - West Sussex County Council

Updates from VolkerHighways - Reactive Maintenance Contractors

VolkerHighways launches Road Safety Mascot Design competition for West Sussex Primary Schools!

As part of Brake’s Road Safety Week, 16 - 22 November, West Sussex County Council’s highway maintenance contractor, VolkerHighways, has launched a competition with West Sussex Primary Schools to design its new Road Safety Mascot.

The initiative is aimed at engaging children in learning about road safety through creativity and imagination. Primary Schools throughout West Sussex are encouraged to design a brand-new mascot to join its existing characters, Kerby the traffic cone and Amber the traffic light.

Road Safety Week is an annual campaign led by the road safety charity, Brake, to raise awareness about road safety and promote life-saving messages.

Children, aged 11 years and younger, are to hand-draw a new highways-themed mascot (e.g. based on road signs, crossings, vehicles, etc). They should give the mascot a name and briefly describe what the mascot does to help keep people safe. Children are to submit the design to their school who will internally select one winning entry to submit to the judging panel.

What’s on offer?

We’re committed to partnering with Primary Schools to drive meaningful change and champion impactful improvement initiatives at the school. The winning school will receive £1,000 worth of school improvements/resources and five runner-up schools will receive £250 worth of improvements. Winning pupils will receive book tokens.

All runners-up and the winning school will have a visit from the new mascot as part of a Road Safety Assembly delivered to the school from January 2026.

The competition has officially been launched to West Sussex Primary Schools. Schools have until 1st December to submit their entries, with winners to be announced during the week commencing 15th December.

We look forward to receiving the entries!

Depot Taster Morning - Inspiring Local Job Seekers in West Sussex

Our Drayton Depot proudly hosted the first Depot Taster Morning for eight local job seekers exploring opportunities in the construction industry. Organised in collaboration with Chichester Job Centre, the session aimed to provide a hands-on introduction to construction careers and equip attendees with valuable skills for their job search.

The morning kicked off with a warm welcome and introduction to VolkerHighways and the wider VolkerWessels UK group, followed by an overview of the diverse roles available in construction - from site operatives to machine operators and supervisory positions.

Participants then took part in CV writing workshops and 1-to-1 mock interviews, recieving tailored feedback to help them prepare for future opportunities. The practical side of the morning included a depot tour and live demonstrations of key machinery and tools, including:

• Hand tools
• IPV (Impact Protection Vehicle)
• Gritter machine
• Grapplesaw
• Chipper

WS Highways Utility Projects Update

This section provides updates on projects being carried out by utility companies across the West Sussex Highways Network.

Gas Replacement works in Yapton

From 3 November 2025 until June 2026, Southern Gas Network (SGN) will be returning to Yapton to carry out essential upgrades to the low-pressure gas mains. This work will take place along Yapton Road, Burndell Road, Bilsham Road, Graham Road, Bilsham Lane, and nearby side roads.

Phase one: From Monday 3 November for 11 weeks, multi-way lights on Yapton Road and Burndell Road.

Phase two: From Monday 5 January for 19 weeks, Full Road Closure on Bilsham Road B2132.

Phase three: From Monday 20 April to Friday 5 June 2026, Road Closure on Yapton Road B2132.

Last year, SGN completed the installation of a large-diameter medium-pressure gas main. The upcoming work focuses on the low-pressure system, and unfortunately, both projects could not be completed all at once without risking interruptions to local gas supplies.

To support residents and ensure everyone feels informed and heard, SGN recently held a community information event in Yapton. This meeting provided an opportunity for residents to be kept informed and ask questions.

For travel and route diversion, follow https://one.network/?tm=GB144677528.

Gas main replacement in Worthing

Southern Gas Network will be carrying out gas main replacement and connection  work planned for Victoria Road and Teville Road A2031 and Richmond Road A259 Worthing. These works will begin from 27 October 2025 until April 2026. To minimize disruption, the works will take place in phases:

Phase one:

From Monday 27 October to Monday 10 November

Two-way traffic lights on Victoria Road. We have planned these lights to allow for the Hemiko scheme to complete their works on Richmond Road and to allow buses access along Victoria Road to the train station.

From Monday 10 November for 12 Weeks

Road closure on Victoria Road from the junction of Richmond Road to the junction of Teville Road. 

From Monday 24^th November for 3 weeks

Three-way temporary traffic lights on Richmond Road to allow for connection work within junction – Victoria Road will remain closed during this phase.

Phase two: Road closure on Teville Road from Monday 12 January for 14 weeks.

SGN has been actively engaging with residents and local businesses in the area to listen to concerns, answer questions, and provide clarity about the upcoming works. Communication and engagement will continue throughout the project, ensuring everyone is informed and supported.

For travel and route diversion, follow https://one.network/?tm=GB143762860.

We understand that roadworks can be frustrating, and we want to be transparent about why this project is necessary. These works are mandated by Health and Safety regulations and involve replacing old metal gas pipes with modern plastic ones. This upgrade is crucial to ensure a safe, reliable, and efficient gas supply.

If you need further information about the Gas works listed above contact Southern Gas Network (SGN): Customer@sgn.co.uk or 0800 912 1700.

Scheme Updates

New active travel route for students and residents

West Sussex County Council has completed the last phase of its active travel initiative, improving the route between Bognor Regis and the South Downs National Park. The upgrades are designed to enhance safety for students travelling to Felpham Community College and Downview Primary School.

As part of the project, the twitten connecting Drygrounds Lane and Wroxham Way has been widened and resurfaced to create a shared-use path for both pedestrians, cyclists and mobility aid users.

Additional enhancements include a new drop kerb, upgraded drainage, improved lighting, and the clearance of overgrown vegetation, all contributing to a safer and more user-friendly environment.

West Sussex Council Delivers Streetlighting Upgrade in Response to Public Concerns

The installation features the latest LED streetlighting technology and is integrated with the county’s Central Management System (CMS). The 4 lanterns installed as part of this project consume a combined average of just 14.4 watts—9.6 watts less than a single fluorescent PLL lantern previously used before the adoption of LED technology.

Keep up to date 📱💻

Facebook, X Bluesky & WhatsApp

Updates on emergency reports are posted every day and project updates are posted frequently on the West Sussex Highways Facebook @West Sussex Highways, X @WSHighways, and Bluesky @wshighways.bsky.social accounts.

Did you know you can get gritter alerts, grass cutting updates and up to date information on road issues on WhatsApp? You can follow silently or opt for alerts to notify you when we share an update. To find us open WhatsApp and select "Updates" from the bottom menu, then simply search for WSHighways or click the link - WSHighways.

Produced by the Customer Liaison Officer, Highways Transport and Planning. Please contact active.communities@westsussex.gov.uk with any comments or suggestions.