I continue to advocate on behalf of concerned constituents and businesses with WSCC regarding this Place & Connectivity scheme in Burgess Hill and I do VERY much appreciate the upset and frustration these works have caused. I have again raised the workmanship and quality of the works so far and thank those constituents who have shared photographs of where elements are incomplete or of poor quality. It is absolutely right that all works must be completed up to standard but this highlights these works are far from concluded. I have engaged very strongly on this and requested a further site meeting this week.
Nick Burrell, the WSCC Project manager, has just responded to my recent ask for clarification on the works and the suspension. He has shared the following:
‘I am writing to clarify the latest update to the important safety works that are supporting cycling and walking improvements in Burgess Hill.
We have considered ongoing feedback and as stated in the last press release we will continue to look at opportunities to minimise traffic disruption. In light of this we have reprofiled the delivery of the Civic Way Roundabout works until late June. This change will reduce the pressure on the road network and provide additional time for further stakeholder engagement on how we implement these important safety works.
With respect to projects of this nature we continue to adapt our delivery programme for a number of reasons such as weather, supply chain and in this case to enhance traffic movement. This revised delivery plan will result in the temporary traffic lights at the bottom of Station Road being removed and the next phase of the works now starting off the highway at the northern side of the roundabout, to widen the pavement along Queen Elizabeth Avenue.
This live project has other areas in construction delivering safety and drainage improvements, works outside the station entrance and further works to install the new Keymer Road pedestrian island. These will continue as planned utilising quieter periods such as schools holidays, a full list of the impacted areas detailed on our web pages including the required traffic management https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/bhpcp and also below.
He continues:-
We will provide the following Scheme Updates to residents on our communication channels
The government-funded scheme part of £21m investment package to improve safety and support cycling and walking in Burgess Hill is continuing into the final stage of construction. These are important works to increase the use of more sustainable methods of transport, improve safety on the highway and provide upgraded high street areas.
The next planned phase is the delivery of the Civic Way roundabout improvements, with works due to occur over the next few weeks. However, we have listened to resident feedback and have rescheduled the delivery of this element of the project until late June. This change will reduce the pressure on the road network and provide additional time for further stakeholder engagement on how we implement these safety works.
This revised delivery plan will result in the temporary traffic lights at the bottom of Station Road being removed and the next phase of the works now starting off the highway at the northern side of the roundabout, to widen the pavement along Queen Elizabeth Avenue.
The live project has other areas in construction delivering drainage improvements, works outside the station entrance and further works to install the new Keymer Road pedestrian island. These will continue as planned utilising quieter periods such as school holidays, a full list of the impacted areas detailed on our web pages, including the required traffic management to ensure safety is maintained for these cycling, walking and highstreets improvement works https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/bhpcp.