A £23m improvement scheme with shared use walking and cycling paths in West Sussex has been officially opened.
West Sussex County Council said the widening of around 2.4km of the A2300 to dual carriageway near Burgess Hill provides the highway infrastructure to support the provision of more than 3,500 new homes, 3,600 new jobs and 200,000 square metres of new employment space.
The scheme also provides:
- a three-metre-wide, shared-use path on the north-side between the A23 and the Northern Arc roundabout (currently under construction)
- a 2.5-metre-wide, shared-use path on the south-side between the A23 and Pookbourne Lane junction and between Bishopstone Lane and Cuckfield Road roundabout.
It has been described as arguably the most significant road-building project for the county council since the 1990s.
The improvements were officially opened by the council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Joy Dennis, who cut a ribbon stretched across the shared-use path.
She said: ‘These multi-million-pound improvements will lead to significant benefits for the area in supporting the provision of new jobs, homes and workspace.
‘The A2300 is an important route for people commuting to and from Burgess Hill and links the town to the A23/M23 strategic road corridor. Sustainable travel options have also been provided, with new, shared use paths built for pedestrians and cyclists.’
Rupert Chitty, contracts director at Jackson Civil Engineering, which was the principal contractor for the scheme, said: ‘I’d like to say what a huge pleasure it has been in delivering the A2300 improvement scheme on behalf of West Sussex.
‘There have been many challenges along the way, but we very much hope the finished scheme will lead to future growth and opportunity in the surrounding area and greatly enhance the commute and safety for the users, be it by vehicles, bike or by foot.
‘Jackson are a regionally-focused contractor and this has enabled us to employ a large percentage of people and supply chain partners from West Sussex and surrounding areas during the construction.’
The scheme was jointly funded by central government through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Deal, as well as developer contributions and the county council.
Anthony Middleton, acting chief executive at Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, said: ‘I’m delighted that Coast to Capital has been able to support the A2300 project through Local Growth Fund investment of £17m, which will greatly benefit businesses in Burgess Hill and the surrounding areas.’
