A £23million improvements scheme on the A2300 in West Sussex has opened which the County Council says will help to boost the local economy and support new housing.
The widening of around a mile and a half of single-lane road to dual carriageway near Burgess Hill provides the highway infrastructure to support the provision of more than 3,500 new homes and 3,600 new jobs, as well as new employment floor space.
The scheme has also provided opportunities for people to make active/sustainable travel choices, with provision for pedestrians and people who cycle.
The improvements were officially opened by West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Joy Dennis, who cut a ribbon stretched across the new, shared-use path.
Joy 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.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the scheme and all road users for their patience while these vital improvements were being built.”
Rupert Chitty, Contracts Director at Jackson Civil Engineering, which was the principal contractor for the scheme, said: “On behalf of Jackson Civil Engineering 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. We would like to thank every one of them for their efforts in delivering this project in a safe and professional manner.”
The scheme was jointly funded by central government through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Deal, developer contributions and the county council.
Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “The completion of this major improvement and the wider connections being delivered within Burgess Hill demonstrates more evidence of infrastructure being delivered to support the new homes being built in Burgess Hill, the additional employment spaces and the creation of new job opportunities. It shows what can be achieved when organisations work together to deliver projects and services through the Growth Programme partnership between Mid Sussex District and West Sussex County.”
Anthony Middleton, Acting Chief Executive at Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Improving transport infrastructure is a strategic priority of our vision to build back stronger, smarter and greener. I’m delighted that Coast to Capital has been able to support the A2300 project through Local Growth Fund investment of £17million, which will greatly benefit businesses in Burgess Hill and the surrounding areas.”
(Picture: Joy Dennis, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, cuts a ribbon stretched across the new, shared-use path, to mark the official opening of the improvement scheme, courtesy West Sussex County Council)
