Public Encouraged to Comment on Burgess Hill Walking & Cycling Improvements

Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council are asking for feedback about the sustainable transport projects of the Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme.

Mid Sussex District Council is currently working with West Sussex County Council to deliver the the Place and Connectivity Programme. The Programme consists of a package of projects aimed at creating improved, high quality walking and cycling routes and public spaces to and through the town to encourage people to choose to walk, cycle or use public transport in the future.

The Programme is designed to support the Burgess Hill Growth Programme. Projects include improved access arrangements for Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield train stations, an enhanced town centre (Church Road and Church Walk), improved town wide walking and cycling links between key destinations and enhanced leisure routes including the Green Circle.

The £21.8 million Programme is funded by government grant and developers’ contributions. The grant funding must be spent by Spring 2021.

Although not a statutory requirement West Sussex County Council and Mid Sussex District Council would like to hear the views of the community and businesses about the Projects. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the planned public engagement will now be hosted entirely online. Residents, workers and visitors are all asked to visit www.burgesshill.net to give their feedback. The online platform will be live for a six-week period from 14th May to 25th June 2020.

Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital said, “Improvements to walking and cycling routes are vital for creating safer towns of the future and the Connectivity Programme will provide long term green enhancements to Burgess Hill. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your views and I would urge you to give feedback online. I look forward to hearing future developments as they arise.”

Councillor Judy Llewellyn-Burke, Mid Sussex District Council Deputy Leader added:
“This is a fantastic programme of projects for the town which have been progressing well in the planning stages. While we recognise these are strange times we also need to ensure we continue to look forward and make progress where we can to support local economic activity and jobs.

“Burgess Hill will grow significantly over the next 15 years into a modern, thriving town where local people want to live and work. The Place and Connectivity Programme will be important in joining up these areas, joining the dots. These ambitious partnership projects will deliver safe, direct and attractive routes and public spaces where people will want to go and use of walking, cycling and public transport will be encouraged in the future when Coronavirus travel restrictions ease.”

Bob Lanzer, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for the Economy, said: “These plans represent a comprehensive package of sustainable transport and public realm improvements to support growth within Burgess Hill.

“They will also support the wider, West Sussex economic recovery following the Coronavirus outbreak, so I am pleased we can move forward with online public engagement soon.

“I would encourage Burgess Hill residents, those who work in the town and those who visit it to please take the time to give your feedback on the proposals.”

Mid Sussex District Council, in partnership with the Local Enterprise Partnership Coast to Capital and West Sussex County Council, has secured £10.9 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the Place and Connectivity Programme. The funding supplements the £16.96m already secured from the Local Growth Fund to assist with the upgrading of the A2300.