Burgess Hill McDonald's: Problems with traffic queuing to use drive-through investigated

Traffic queueing to enter McDonalds drive thru Burgess Hill is causing problems on the roundabout just outside. Pic Steve Robards SR1829128 SUS-180311-162546001

The fast-food chain unveiled its refurbished branch in Civic Way back in February, but readers have raised concerns about the effect on the nearby road network.

When demand for the drive-through is high queuing traffic can back up on to the roundabout, according to West Sussex County Council.

The issue has been discussed with both Sussex Police and Mid Sussex District Council, and a proposal to loop queuing cars back into the car park has been suggested.

Officers explained that yellow linage on the roundabout has been considered but this would require money from WSCC’s revenue budget at a Central and South Mid Sussex County Local Committee meeting last month.

But they also said that since the error was ‘clearly caused by the planning process’ they would expect both McDonald’s and the district council to contribute financially to a solution.

A spokesman for McDonald’s said: “We already have members of our team helping manage the traffic flow in our car park and drive-thru to prevent any disruption.

“However, we are always open to conversations with the council and police around how we continue to be a good neighbour to our community, and look forward to sitting down with them.”

A Mid Sussex District Council spokesman said: “West Sussex County Council is always consulted on planning applications where there could be an impact on the local highway network. They are the local highways experts and our planning officers and planning committee rely on their advice about the potential impact of a new development on the surrounding roads.

“West Sussex County Council highways department did not raise any objections to the changes to McDonald’s in Burgess Hill and the council therefore had no reason to refuse the application on highways grounds.”

A county council spokesman added: “The problem has been when the queue for the drive-through extends out onto the public highway and around the roundabout.

“Traffic can come to a standstill if queuing vehicles do not leave gaps on the roundabout. We will continue discussions with all involved to try to find a solution.”

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