Investigations launched at A24 crash junction as safety pressure grows
Investigations are being carried out at a notorious road junction on the A24 near Horsham following safety fears.
The move follows a head-on crash last week at the Bar Lane crossover of the A24 at Southwater – and reports of other accidents and near-misses at the spot.
Horsham MP John Milne has joined calls for West Sussex County Council to take urgent action to prevent someone being killed there. The council says it is ‘continuing to investigate’ if more action is needed.
Cones were this week placed along the road, closing one lane of the dual carriageway – but the county council says these ‘are not related to safety issues.’
Problems have been caused by drivers entering the crossover from the northbound carriageway of the A24, then making a left turn into oncoming traffic along the southbound carriageway. There have been reports of satellite navigation systems giving drivers incorrect directions.
A family of four – who had a miracle escape after a terrifying crash when a 4x4 vehicle travelling on the wrong side of the road crashed into their van last week – have launched a petition calling for the junction to be closed.
Meanwhile, MP John Milne, in a letter this week to county highways cabinet member Joy Dennis, said: “This is a fast-moving road and the danger of vehicles turning the wrong way along the A24 creates a clear risk of fatalities.” He said he had seen dashcam footage of cars wrongly turning into oncoming traffic.
A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said today (Tuesday February 3): “West Sussex County Council takes road safety extremely seriously.
“We have been reviewing the collision and injury record at this location and will continue our investigation to determine whether further measures are required.
“At this stage, we are unable to comment on the specifics of the petition as it has not yet been received.
“We recently carried out a site inspection at this location to review the road signs and road markings. The signage is clear and visible, and while the road markings remain legible, they are beginning to fade and we plan to refresh these in the new financial year.
“We have also previously assessed visibility at the section of Bar Lane that adjoins the A24 and found vegetation had been restricting visibility. Our third and final rural grass cut has now been completed, and we have carried out an inspection on Friday January 23 to confirm that visibility has been improved.
“There is currently a one lane closure on the A24, which is not related to the safety concerns raised in the petition. This is due to voids which have appeared in the verge and encroached under the carriageway.
“We are working with our contractor to undertake repair work as soon as we can to allow us to open the lane.”