In this newsletter you'll find out about our new Road Safety Strategy, EV ChargePoint for Community landowners Webinar, the Annual Grit Audit and much more.

West Sussex Highways report highlights County Council’s proactive approach to road maintenance

A recent report, which has been published on the council’s website, outlines West Sussex County Council’s continued commitment and investment in the county’s highways along with detailing its preventative approach to highways maintenance.

The report has been produced in response to the requirement from the Department for Transport (DfT) for all local highways authorities to publish information about their highways maintenance activities to help local taxpayers see the difference that funding is making in their areas.

Cllr Joy Dennis, WSCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “I hope that this report will help our residents to understand that the scale of the county’s highway assets is substantial and managing them effectively, so that residents and businesses can go about their daily lives with minimal disruption, is no small task.”

New Road Safety Strategy aiming to reduce death and serious injury on West Sussex roads

West Sussex County Council has updated its Road Safety Strategy to encourage all road users to prioritise road safety, so that fewer people will be killed or seriously injured in collisions on its roads. After holding a public consultation, the strategy has been developed to influence behaviour and create a safer road network for everyone.

• Speed management because evidence from national police data shows that going too fast is the main cause of collisions and makes death or serious injury more likely in a crash.

• Planning and designing safer roads and using technology to prevent collisions and protect those most at risk.

• Encouraging all road users to prioritise road safety when they travel.

EV ChargePoint for Community landowners Webinar

We are pleased to invite you to our next webinar on Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 30 June at 1pm - an invite will have been sent to you - aimed at community landowners and parish councils located in West Sussex, to learn more about the exciting progress being made in West Sussex Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure. You should have already received an direct calendar invite.

West Sussex County Council, in collaboration with district and borough councils and Connected Kerb, is leading one of the most ambitious EV charging rollouts in the UK; with nearly 1,000 chargers already deployed across the county.

Now we want to let you know how your community can be part of this success.

This session will:

- Introduce the WSCC partnership with Connected Kerb.

- Explain the benefits of the ORCS grant and how it supports EV infrastructure.

- Show how town and parish councils can get involved and access funding.

- Provide a clear roadmap for applying and implementing EV charge points in community car parks.

(Please note: this webinar will discuss the community landowner / parish EV charge points, not on-street sites, or locations).

There will also be time allocated to answer questions at the end of the webinar. Please note this session will be recorded and shared.

Annual Grit Audits – 2025/26

The annual Grit Audits for 2025/26 have now been sent out to Parish and Town Councils with licensed grit bins and hippo bags.

We kindly ask that all relevant councils complete and submit their audits by the outlined deadline of Friday 1^st August 2025, to help us ensure that there is adequate grit supply across the county ahead of the winter season.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the grit audits or your grit bins/hippo bags, please contact us at Parish-Town.Enquiries@westsussex.gov.uk.

Selsey Pollinator Highway Project

Image taken by Manhood Wildife and Heritage Group

WSCC and the Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group are working in partnership to link together habitats for our all important pollinators. The Selsey Pollinator Highway Project was created to restore and increase wild areas that are so needed by pollinators such as bees, moths, butterflies and wasps.

Find out about Road Works in your area

Did you know that you can view information about road works on https://one.network/? Find out full details of roadworks taking place in West Sussex including the location, associated diversion routes, the nature of the works being undertaken and who is responsible for the works. There are also links to our public notices for temporary traffic regulation orders such as road closures which give more detailed information on restrictions.

If you create an account you can sign up for email alerts of road works within an specific area. You can choose when you would like to receive the alerts either daily, weekly or monthly.

So next time you are wondering about some road works happening in your area or are planning an important journey, remember one.network – you can find this through our website too if you type ‘Roadworks map’ into the search bar.

Answering your frequently asked questions

Why use surface dressing instead of resurfacing?

A surface dressing treatment is a preventative measure while resurfacing is a corrective treatment.

Why is no one on site during roadworks?

There can be many valid reasons why team members may not be visible on-site during roadworks:

• Nature of the works - e.g. Gas leak works would have to vent the build-up of toxic gas before it is safe to begin repairs.
• Equipment failure - frustrating for all involved but cannot be planned for.
• Tarmac plant closure - causes supply delays.
• Materials curing such a concrete.
• Team members called away to emergency works. Utilities have a finite resource. Therefore, in peak usage times such a winter for gas or summer for water where emergencies are more common due to pressure on services, teams may be removed from planned works to attend to emergencies.
• Waiting for a different team - similar to emergencies utilities have to plan and use their staffing resource carefully. Therefore, they often have one team to do excavations for all works, a separate team to complete repairs and a third who completes reinstatements. This means there is a small amount of downtime between each team arriving and completing their section of works.
• Waiting for another utility to arrive - if the gang have discovered a leak for example or if they have accidentally damaged another utilities equipment.
• Lunch break - work regulations apply to sites.
• Working hours - Traffic management may be needed 24hrs a day due to open excavations however if area is residential then team members are bound by Environmental Health regulations on working times.

Riparian Toolkit

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Riparian Toolkit designed to support you with watercourse/riparian matters in your area. If you have not yet received your copy, please do contact us at Parish-Town.Enquiries@westsussex.gov.uk and we will email it to you.

The toolkit provides readily accessible information and resources on topics such as:

• Riparian ownership and responsibilities
• Guidance on managing vegetation
• Contact details for relevant agencies

We believe this resource will help you when assisting residents with watercourse enquiries.

Scheme Updates

A new shared use path at Lancing beach

WSCC has installed a new segregated cycle path alongside the Perch Cafe in Lancing, connecting the existing shared pedestrian and cycle path at either end of this new section. This safety improvement focuses on reducing conflict between user groups on a busy section of the National Cycle Route (2), whilst still ensuring the public’s enjoyment of the local area.

In addition, cycle facilities were also installed, including inclusive cycle stands and cycle aids, while priority was provided for cyclists at the intersections, encouraging free flow movement for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Efforts were made to increase awareness of the existing Public Rights of Way (PROW) network by introducing a new all weather path, and the removal of steps to further improve accessibility for mobility-challenged users. Several memorial benches were strategically relocated on Lancing Green, making access to them easier. Additionally, the existing path adjacent to The Perch will be resurfaced to enhance usability and extend its lifespan.

Image credit: Landbuild

Essential road, drains and bridge maintenance works on the A23 in Crawley

On Wednesday 23 July/In July West Sussex County Council will start work/started work to refurbish the Crawley bypass railway bridge and to improve the traffic signals and drainage network on the A23 Crawley Avenue near the Ifield Community College junction in Crawley. As part of the works the road will then be resurfaced.

The works are expected to last for eleven weeks until October, dependent on external factors such as weather. They will be coordinated in phases with most of the work scheduled during the school summer holidays to keep traffic disruption to a minimum. Traffic management will maintain the flow of traffic during any necessary lane or road closures.

More information can be found on one.network and our website.

Planned works to refurbish signalised crossing in Chichester

Works to refurbish signalised toucan crossing at Westhampnett Road near Barnfield Drive, Chichester to start from 4 August 2025 for approximately 3 weeks.

The existing crossing equipment has reached the end of its service life and now requires replacement to ensure continued safe and reliable operation. For safety of workers on site, the road will be closed to northbound traffic, while southbound traffic will still be allowed through. A diversion will be in place, directing northbound vehicles east along Portfield Way, then north on the Chichester bypass, and south on Westhampnett Road.

The works will generally be undertaken during the hours of 9:30 am and 3:30 pm but the road closure and temporary traffic lights will remain in place during the week. Access to the crematorium will be maintained at all times but will only be accessible by heading southbound on Westhampnett Road and/or using the diversion route.

Shoreham Active Travel Improvements

Following a public consultation in June 2024, improvements to provide safer active travel to Buckingham Park Primary School was agreed. WS Highways are delivering these improvements in 3 phases.

Phase 1 is now complete:

• Installation of a parallel crossing on Upper Shoreham Road near The Drive and Buckingham Road junctions.
• A segregated cycle path on the northbound spur at the Buckingham Road and Upper Shoreham Road junction.
• Cycle bypasses in the buildouts on Middle Road.

Phase 2: Works will begin on 22 July 2025 for approximately 6 weeks during summer holidays, focusing on new pedestrian crossings, a shared cycle/pedestrian path near Buckingham Primary School, and junction realignment at Windlesham Road. Temporary traffic signals will be in place. Access to school will be maintained throughout the duration of the works.

Phase 3: To minimize disruption amid other network works, Carriageway Resurfacing and replacing road markings outside Buckingham Park School will take place during October half term from 27 to 31 October 2025 under a full road closure of Buckingham Road near the school. The bus stop outside no. 56/58 will be moved to outside no. 54 to improve safety for passengers getting on and off.

Community Highway Scheme in East Grinstead

The Community Highway Scheme at Del La Warr Road in East Grinstead is has been delivered to improve existing crossing facilities and create a new pedestrian link to popular local amenities. The works were included in two phases and included construction of:

• new section of footway with retaining wall
• raised table crossing point
• carriageway and footway resurfacing
• renewal of road markings
• installation of cleft fencing

Work to restore key local pedestrian link at Whites Footbridge set to begin

West Sussex County Council will soon begin work to replace the closed Whites Footbridge near Steyning, restoring a vital pedestrian route between Upper Beeding and Steyning. The project is planned to start on 14 July 2025 and is expected to take approximately 12 weeks.

Upcoming works include demolishing the existing bridge and building a new footbridge, alongside completing footpath resurfacing on the east side of the river as part of the White Bridge Link project. These upgrades will create a durable, all-weather pedestrian route between Upper Beeding and Steyning, improving accessibility and safety year-round. The bridge replacement is funded by the council’s capital budget, while footpath improvements are supported by the Wilson Memorial Trust and a local community group. Click here for further details.

Keep up to date

WhatsApp

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.

X & Bluesky

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

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

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