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When is the best time for roadworks?

Roadworks on the network are essential to ensure that maintenance for things like aging pipework, the installation of faster broadband or highways improvements can be done.

Each set of works is carefully planned, taking the location, length of work and how it will be done into consideration while coordinating the high volume of work requests received each year. In the last financial year we received approximately 66000 requests for works on the highway, and 20% of these are emergency permits (for things like gas leaks or burst water mains) for which we receive no prior notification.

Even with careful planning, some disruption is unavoidable.

“Why aren’t you doing these roadworks during the school holidays?”

School holidays can seem like a good time for roadworks. Traffic is often lighter in the morning, with congestion decreasing by 10%. However, during school holidays more people are travelling for leisure, usually later in the day, especially on key tourist routes.  

School holidays are a good time to carry out works near schools. However, this creates challenges as there are only limited weeks available each year, along with a limited number of teams to deliver the work

“Why can’t you do these works at night?”

Night work is not always suitable. There are a few reasons for this:

• open excavations that would still be present during the day
• the safety of workers using heavy machinery in low levels of visibility
• environmental health impacts due to noise and light pollution

Our teams work hard to plan roadworks carefully. We aim to reduce disruption as much as possible while keeping everyone safe.

To see current and planned roadworks in your area, visit One.Network.

Become a Bikeability Instructor

Are you searching for a job that can effortlessly accommodate your lifestyle and give you the freedom to spend quality time with your loved ones? Look no further! Our incredible opportunity offers the perfect balance between work and personal life, with the flexibility you've been longing for. 

As a Cycle Instructor you will make a difference to multiple people around the county by:

• Encouraging and developing safe cycling skills.
• Developing positive attitudes towards road use.
• Increasing knowledge and understanding of the road and traffic environment.
• Giving trainees the confidence to use their cycles on local roads.

2026 FIFA World Cup - Think Road Safety

Road Traffic Incidents typically spike during major tournaments and there are three key issues often responsible for this:

Drink-Driving

Watching the game often involves alcohol. Whether celebrating or commiserating, if you drink, it is crucial to arrange a taxi or a lift home.

• The "Morning After" Risk: If you are driving to work or your child/children to school the next day, you may still be over the legal limit. Consider walking to school, or arranging for a friend to pick them up if you live too far to walk.
• Safety Check: Use an Alcohol Morning After Calculator to estimate how many hours you need to wait before it is safe and legal to drive. You can do this by going to - https://morning-after.org.uk/drink-drive-calculator/

Fatigue

Many matches will be played at unsociable hours. Limited sleep could affect your reaction times and concentration when driving the following morning. If you have stayed up late to watch a match, consider alternative transport or working from home if possible.

Driving while tired is extremely dangerous, with fatigue contributing to up to 20% of road traffic crashes and acting as a factor in many more. It impairs judgement, reaction time, and coordination.

Mobile Phones

Some drivers may be tempted to check scores on their phones whilst behind the wheel. Remove that temptation by placing your phone in the glove box - not just during the World Cup, but every time you drive. Using a mobile phone whilst driving is impairs your concentration as much as being over the legal drink-driving limit.

Climate Action and Adaption Plan

Since 2024, the WSCC Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) has highlighted our priorities to reduce emissions across the county and prepare for the impacts we’re all beginning to experience as a result of climate change.

Highways, Transport and Planning has its own set of actions linked to the WSCC CAAP to:

• Prepare our roads for extreme weather
• Look after biodiversity on our network
• Target our high-emitting areas like streetlighting and construction projects
• Suggest ways local residents can opt for low-carbon alternatives like public transport, active travel and switching to electric vehicles.

You can join us on our journey to decarbonise by:

• Using the public transport network at reduced rates - which will benefit from a further £9.2 million of investment from April 2026
• Making the most of newly improved cycle and pedestrian routes on Lyminster Bypass,  Westgate Dutch Roundabout, Chichester or find active travel routes near you on our website
• Opting for an electric vehicle and making use of West Sussex’s 891 on-street electric vehicle charging sockets across the county

Horsham District Council and Mid Sussex District Council re-examine their Local Plan documents.

Horsham District Council and Mid Sussex District Council have resumed examinations of their Local Plan documents. The Inspector in both examinations has instructed them to increase their planned housing provision, as part of further work required over the coming months.

Planning officers will continue to work with relevant services across the county council to identify infrastructure requirements of any proposed modifications to the Local Plan documents and inform the relevant plan-making authority. There is expected to be public consultation and further hearings later in the year as part of both examinations.

 For further information about the examination of the Horsham Local Plan visit:Latest News from Local Plan Examination | Horsham District Council

For further information about the examination of the Mid Sussex District Plan Review visit: District Plan Review - Examination - Mid Sussex District Council

Improvements to Buchan Country Park Access

The access road in to Buchan Country Park has recently been resurfaced providing users with a much needed improvement to entering the car park.

Public Rights of Way Improvements

Felpham Public Footpath 3800 – bridge installation

A 6m footbridge was installed as the final part in making this newly claimed footpath fully available between Arun Leisure Centre and Brooks Lane.

Highway Improvement Works

We are currently undertaking surface treatments across the county, with the following projects recently completed and starting in the coming weeks.

You can read more about what happens during each of the road and footway surface treatments here - Maintaining roads, verges and pavements - West Sussex County Council

Further information on each of the works can also be found via one.network

Traffic Signals Refurbishment - West Street, East Grinstead

18 May to 5 June 2026

West Sussex County Council is working to improve the crossing point on West Street, East Grinstead, from the 18 May to 5 June 2026. The new and upgraded signals will have the latest technology, providing the following benefits;

• improved pedestrian safety
• improved visibility for motorists
• reduced energy and maintenance costs
• reduced carbon emissions.

Multi way traffic lights are in operation but the road will remain open. Where the footpath is affected, an alternative route has been provided. 

You can view further details at https://one.network/?GB148496647

Bridge Repairs – New Swan, Pulborough

1 June to 12 July 2026

The council will be doing repair and strengthening works to New Swan Bridge, Pulborough. These works are needed as a result of settlement discovered in recent investigation work. If left unattended these defects could cause more significant damage to the bridge.

To complete the works safely there will be a lane closure, from 1 June to 12 July 2026, under two-way traffic signals. The signals will be under manual control to allow adjustments to the flow of traffic and minimise delays where possible.

Towards the end of the project there will be one week of overnight road closures from 8pm to 6am. A diversion route will be sign posted locally. This will be in place from 7 to 12 July 2026.

Please allow extra time when travelling through the area - we apologise for any delay the work may cause.

You can view further details at https://one.network/?GB148797897

Utility Projects Update

Gas Works

Selsey Road, Hunston

Gas main repair works to run from 1 June to 3 July 2026 under two-way lights.

Bersted, Bognor Regis

From Monday 01 June to Friday 25 September 2026, SGN contractors, JB Utilities Limited, will commence a programme of work to replace the gas main along Chichester Road, Bersted in Bognor Regis.

Due to the location of the gas pipes in the road, for everyone’s safety the replacement works will be done under road closure in three phases as follows:

Phase one: from 01/06/2026 to 22/06/2026

Road closure on Chichester Road from the junction of The Boulevard to the junction of North Bersted Street.

Phase two: from 22/06/2026 to 21/08/2026  

Road closure on Chichester Road from the junction of The Boulevard to just south of Loats Lane. 

Phase three: from 24/08/2026 to 25/09/2026  

Road closure on Chichester Road from the junction of Fairlands to North Bersted Street.

Pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle access to the properties will be maintained.

We understand that ongoing roadworks can be disruptive, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding. These upgrades are necessary to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of gas supply. 

For further information about these works, you can contact SGN Customer Service Team by email Customer@sgn.co.uk or alternatively you can call them on 0800 912 1700. For travel and route diversion, please follow Causeway one.network.

Water infrastructure upgrades

Bepton, Midhurst

Road closure - extent from junction of Ingram’s Green Lane to A286. Southern Water are carrying out excavation works for upgrades and maintenance to the existing water infrastructure. The works are taking place in phases under a road closure from 2 March to 24 June 2026 between 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 9am to 4pm on weekends.

Brighton Road, Worthing

Planned sewer repair works by Southern Water to protect the quality of our local rivers and seas are taking place on Brighton Road, between Madeira Avenue and Farncombe Road, from Friday 22 May for approximately 8 days between 8pm to 6am.

You can see the ‘Works in Your Area’ on Southern Waters website. If you have any concern, please contact at customer@cbul.uk or call 0333 240 2072

Electrical Upgrades

Market Place & Mill Green Road, Haywards Heath

Works to install new electricity cables are progressing well. UKPN, together with their contractors, has completed the first two phases ahead of schedule. Work is currently underway on Mill Green Road under a northbound lane closure.

Please see the work programme below:

Manor Royal, Crawley

UKPN will be installing a new underground cable within the public highway at Manor Royal, Crawley. The work programme is as follows:

• 11 to 22 May, Manor Royal: Bus Lane closure throughout the works.
• 1 June to 17 June, London Road/Junction of Martyrs Avenue: Lane closures will be in place on London Road, with a right‑turn restriction into Martyrs Avenue and full weekend directional closures on 6–7 June and 13–14 June, after which works will continue under lane restrictions.
• 10 August to 3 September, Martyrs Avenue, Junction with Garage Access Road: A full Road closure on Martyrs Avenue will be required from 10 to 20 August.

If you have any questions, please contact UKPN’s customer care team on 0800 028 4587 (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm) or care@ukpowernetworks.co.uk and reference 260010910.

A280 Long Furlong, Clapham, Worthing

The works were successfully completed a day ahead of schedule. The closure supported CityFibre’s work to deliver full fibre broadband to hard-to-reach homes and businesses. The road closure also allowed for an additional collaborative ironworks project, including repairs and the resetting of manhole and gully covers.

At the end of the works, CityFibre undertook a mass litter pick of the area.

Keep up to date 📱💻

Facebook, X, Bluesky & WhatsApp

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

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.

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