'˜Significant funding gap' in second phase of works to Cheals roundabout

A '˜significant funding gap' still needs to be made up if the second phase of works to Cheals roundabout are to go ahead.
Delays continue following the serious collisionDelays continue following the serious collision
Delays continue following the serious collision

As part of the Kilnwood Vale west of Bewbush scheme, developers are required to increase capacity on the Horsham Road eastbound arm of the junction.

But the legal agreement only requires the developer to provide a financial contribution to the second stage of works to the roundabout, which could see either an enlarged roundabout or fully traffic-signallised junction.

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West Sussex County Council’s West Crawley County Local Committee was given an update on the scheme’s progress at a meeting last Tuesday (January 19).

Councillors were told that officers were aware of requests for better pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities, and the first phase had been designed ‘not to prejudice’ further improvements.

A briefing note written by David Lambert, lead professional for highways design in WSCC’s implementation team, explained that they could not ask the developer to fully fund the second stage of works as the development was far enough from the roundabout to make the direct impact ‘relatively small’.

He added: “In order to place a planning obligation on a developer to undertake highway schemes, there must be clear evidence that the scheme is needed to mitigate the impact of the development.

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“We therefore cannot require developers to fully rectify all existing problems on the highway network, as planning legislation restricts us to dealing with the impact of the development alone.”

The first phase would see the existing single straight-on and right turn lane replaced by two lanes, with a traffic island alongside the segregated left turn lane to stop drivers ‘straight-lining’ the roundabout at excessive speeds.

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