Action is finally being taken over a major West Sussex road which has been plagued with problems for nearly three and a half years.

The A29 at Church Hill in Pulborough was shut by West Sussex County Council in December 2022 following a landslide which led to chaos in the village with traffic snarl-ups, safety fears and a loss of trade for local businesses.

The embankment-lined road remained closed for months before reopening to single-lane traffic, controlled by traffic lights, in April 2023. The road has remained single-lane since that time.

Now, however, the county council has announced that action is finally to be taken. The road will be shut for around 10 days from April 20 while ‘arboricultural works’ are carried out.

The A29 at Church Hill in Pulborough has been plagued with problems since a landslip nearly three and a half years ago

placeholder image — The A29 at Church Hill in Pulborough has been plagued with problems since a landslip nearly three and a half years ago

Delays to resolving the situation were caused by legal wrangles between the county council and the owners of land by the embankment. The council served notices on the landowners requiring them to carry out tree works, but the landowners appealed against the orders.

However, a court dismissed the landowners’ appeals in January. The county council then said it would be engaging with the landowners ‘to secure completion of relevant tree works in a timely fashion.”

Now the council says it is to make an Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to close the A29 Church Hill between the A283 and Church Place. It says the order is necessary to protect public safety while tree works are undertaken.

West Sussex County Council has been approached for further comment.