Work begins on £4.7million Burgess Hill scheme
The 10 month project will see major improvements to the road network around the Queen Elizabeth Avenue junction and the train station
Work starts soon on a £4.7million scheme to support the local economy and improve active/sustainable travel options in Burgess Hill.
The Western Gateway and Station Improvements Scheme is scheduled to start on 27 June and is one of a series of projects in the town which aim to:
• Support new housing and commercial development by creating safe, direct and attractive walking and cycling routes
• Create high-quality public spaces to encourage people to opt for active modes of travel or public transport, providing a safe and reliable alternative to car travel
The scheme will build improvements between Keymer Road and London Road and link to the wider cycling and walking network. The town centre part of the project extends from the B2036 London Road to the B2133 Keymer Road, including Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Station Road and the Keymer Road roundabout and will include surface water drainage improvements in Queens Crescent. The Wivelsfield Station part extends from the Junction Road / Leylands Road junction through to the existing signalled pedestrian crossing to the west of the railway underpass. See below for more details.
The improvements scheme is one of the projects within the Mid Sussex Growth Deal and a priority within the Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme - a package of initiatives being delivered in partnership between the County Council, Mid Sussex District Council, Burgess Hill Town Council and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership to build safe, direct and attractive walking and cycling routes and high-quality public spaces.
It also represents the continuation of successful infrastructure building within Burgess Hill which includes the A2300 improvements project and the Green Circle and Town-wide Links.
These have all been developed as part of the wider Burgess Hill Strategic Growth Programme, helping to support the development of 5,000 new homes, commercial space and supporting the potential for town centre regeneration. The Place and Connectivity Programme is funded through Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership grant secured by the County Council and Mid Sussex District Council.
Joy Dennis, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This multi-million-pound project represents another step forward for the Place and Connectivity Programme’s ambition to transform Burgess Hill into a 21st century sustainable town with improved highways and transport infrastructure. It also aims to create opportunities for economic growth through new jobs, residential and commercial development, while providing safe links for active travel choices between key destinations.”
Councillor Stephen Hillier, Mid Sussex District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Net Zero, added: “I am delighted that this new scheme will shortly get underway. On completion, it will offer direct links to the superb cycling and walking routes delivered as part of the initial phases of the Place and Connectivity Programme and will go even further towards promoting active travel for our local communities.”
The County Council and the scheme’s contractor, Landbuild, will try to minimise the disruption caused by traffic management requirements and ensure access to all premises during the works. The project is scheduled to take about 10 months.
More details about The Western Gateway and Station Improvements Scheme:
Western Gateway / Queen Elizabeth Avenue
This part of the scheme extends from the London Road / Queen Elizabeth Avenue junction and Station Road to the junction of Station Road / Wolstonbury Way.
It includes the widening of existing footways, amendment of the existing roundabout at the junction of Queen Elizabeth Avenue / Civic Way / Station Road to improve pedestrian / cycle access, relocation of existing signalled pedestrian crossings and conversion to Toucan crossings, provision of shared pedestrian / cycle facilities, raised tables at minor junctions, conversion of the existing mini-roundabout at the junction of Church Road / Mill Road / Station Road to a signalled junction with signalled pedestrian arms, public realm improvements, parking improvements and drainage improvements within Queens Crescent together with proposed Traffic Management Orders to support changes to local on-street parking provision. Links to wider pedestrian and cycling improvements are also provided.
Burgess Hill Station
This part of the scheme extends from the junction of Station Road / Wolstonbury Way along Station Road to Hoadleys’ Corner and the Keymer Road.
It includes the provision of shared pedestrian / cycle facilities, raised tables at minor junctions, public realm improvements at the Station, improvements to the station drop-off / taxi bays, pedestrian improvements at the Hoadleys’ Corner roundabout, provision of widened shared footway / new retaining wall and widened footway outside the Keymer Parade shops together with proposed Traffic Management Orders to support changes to local on-street parking provision. Links to wider pedestrian and cycling improvements are also provided.
Wivelsfield Railway Station area
This part of the scheme extends from the Junction Road / Leylands Road junction through to the existing signalled pedestrian crossing to the west of the railway underpass.
It includes the provision of minor pedestrian improvements to the junction of Junction Road / Leylands Road, public realm improvements, additional cycling and pedestrian facilities together with proposed Traffic Management Orders and linkages to wider pedestrian and cycling schemes.