Study dashes hopes of a bridge over lethal A281 crossing

Activists campaigning for a bridge to be built across a lethal stretch of the A281 near Horsham look set to have their hopes dashed.
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The campaigners have been battling for years to get West Sussex County Council to build the bridge over the A281 at a point where the busy road splits the Downs Link path in two at Rudgwick.

Warnings about the dangerous crossing came tragically true in July 2020 when a young man on a Downs Link charity bike ride died after being involved in a crash with a lorry.

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At an inquest into the young cyclist’s death the coroner told West Sussex County Council it had to make the crossing safe and noted that it had commissioned a feasibility study.

Tributes left at the spot on the Downs Link where a cyclist tragically diedTributes left at the spot on the Downs Link where a cyclist tragically died
Tributes left at the spot on the Downs Link where a cyclist tragically died

And results of the study - seen by the West Sussex County Times - reveal that building the bridge would cost around £2 million and that is considered ‘uneconomic.’

Instead, it is being proposed that a Pegasus crossing - a signalised pedestrian crossing - should be installed.

The study, by WSP consultants, also rules out installing a traffic island because there is insufficient land.

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The Pegasus crossing, estimated to cost between £600,000 and £700,000, would include an adjustment to the Downs Link access ramps.

It is thought further study work would be needed to determine the impact of the scheme before a decision is made on the full scope of works.

The council expects to work in partnership with walking and cycling charity SUSTRANS to work out a final design and costs before the next steps are decided.

The campaign group Bridge The Downs Link has always maintained that a bridge “is the only option which makes the crossing safe for everyone.”

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A spokesperson said: “A bridge is technically straightforward at the site and is expected to cost no more than £2 million.

“According to government figures, that’s about the same amount as the cost to society every time someone is killed on our roads.”

A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said that safety improvement works had been carried out in the area since the fatal crash.

New warning signs were installed on the A281, wooden guard barriers installed on the Downs Link access ramps and vegetation cleared to improve visibility.

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Joy Dennis, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Road safety is a top priority for the council and we believe these measures significantly reduce the risk of a similar accident happening again. But we want to go much further than what’s already been put in place.

“We commissioned a consultant’s report to consider what other measures could be taken, which we have been discussing with the charity, SUSTRANS.”

Three options were considered: a bridge, a Pegasus crossing, or a traffic island – the island has been ruled out because there is insufficient land to accommodate one at the site.

Joy said: “The initial estimated cost for a bridge is approximately £2 million. It is difficult to make a case for a bridge when that same level of funding could pay for other, multiple improvement schemes around the county and when a Pegasus crossing would provide similar benefits for local communities and everyone using the Downs Link.

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“Given the traffic island is not feasible, our approach will be to continue investigations into the Pegasus crossing, which has an initial, estimated cost of approximately £600,000.”

She said he crossing would comprise an on-road signalised crossing, with adjustment to the Downs Link access ramps. The work would allow for much-enhanced safety when crossing the road and would look for options to improve accessibility to the Downs Link for everyone, including pedestrians, people who cycle, wheelchair users and equestrians.

The county council says it will continue to work in partnership with SUSTRANS and will carry out feasibility studies, such as topographic and ecology surveys, to define the full scope of works required.

The spokesperson said this would lead to a refinement of the design and cost estimates and allow both the council and SUSTRANS to determine next steps.