Angry driver hits out at lack of action to curb A29 road delays

A driver who is regularly stuck in traffic during roadworks on the A29 at Billingshurst has hit out at a lack of action to reduce the road delays.
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Consultant electronic engineer Stephen Lowe travels twice a day from his home in Adversane to help tend horses at stables in Slinfold.

But, he said, works to build a new roundabout and access road to the new Billingshurst Business Park off the A29 added more than an hour a day to his journey with traffic frequently backed up for more than a mile.

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And, he said, long traffic queues on Wednesday last week (October 21) were the final straw.

Impression of the new roundabout on the A29 at BillingshurstImpression of the new roundabout on the A29 at Billingshurst
Impression of the new roundabout on the A29 at Billingshurst

He said building contractors Natta, who are carrying out the roadworks, had erected a sign saying they were ‘considerate constructors.’

“It is hard to endorse that claim if you are a car driver who regularly has to use the A29,” said Stephen.

And, in a protest letter to Natta, he told the company: “There is no indication that you have made any effort to reduce the delays or to open up the road to two way running. Your website does imply that you planned to do so but so far it hasn’t happened.”

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In a reply to Stephen, a spokesperson for Natta apologised for the hold-up last Wednesday which the company said was due to a battery failing in the traffic lighting system.

“This caused the disruption and delays. As soon as it was brought to our attention an engineer was sent out to fix it and it is now being monitored; checked daily and at night to ensure that it won’t happen again.”

The company says it is now on the third phase of the works and was on schedule.

The works first started in June and were scheduled to last six months.

They will serve the new Billingshurst Business Park which will include a drive-through Starbucks, petrol station and commercial units.