Ongoing A29 flooding incident forces delay of planned road safety improvements
Planned highway safety improvements on the A29 have been delayed due to ongoing flooding.
A29 Shripney Road – at the Saltbox Roundabout – has been closed since Monday, February 2, due to major flooding in Bersted.
The situation is being monitored, with plans for the highway safety works to be rescheduled once flooding has eased and the road can be safely reopened.
An Aldingbourne Parish Council social media post read: “Due to the ongoing flooding affecting Shripney Road and Shripney Lane, we have been informed by West Sussex County Council (WSCC) that the community highway scheme – due to start on Monday, February 16 – has been delayed.
“We’ll share a further update as soon as we have one. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
A previous announcement of the planned works prompted criticism from some residents, who questioned why flood management and drainage issues were not being prioritised.
One resident commented on Facebook: “Need money spent on flood management first,”, whilst another wrote: “So nothing that actually helps with the flooding?”
Others expressed disbelief and frustration, with one person saying: “You have to laugh. Or you’d cry…” and another adding: “How about sorting the flooding before putting in a crossing.” A further comment read: “Of course this is far more important than sorting out the drainage issues.”
The works were due to be undertaken from February 16 until March 17 – from 7am to 4pm each day.
The works were intended to ‘improve safety for pedestrians and road users’.
It was planned that the speed limit near the A29 junction with Shripney Lane would be reduced from 40mph to 30mph. The limit on Shripney Lane, meanwhile, would be reduced from 30mph to 20mph.
The parish council added: “A new uncontrolled pedestrian crossing [will be] installed near the junction with Shripney Lane. Temporary traffic lights [will be] in operation during works.
"The road will remain open with temporary multi-way traffic signals in place. Please allow extra time for your journey.
“Access will be maintained for pedestrians and emergency services throughout.”
Meanwhile, a highway operative escaped unharmed after being 'struck' by a car, which had 'forced its way through’ the A29 closure, according to West Sussex County Council.
After the incident on Monday morning (February 9), the county council reiterated its warning for residents ‘not to drive through flooded roads’.
A statement read: “Whilst the council understands the frustration road closures caused by flooding present to drivers, driving through them can cause further issues including delaying opening the road, pushing water into residential homes as well as potentially negating the driver’s insurance should their car break down due to water ingress.
“It is also dangerous to those highway operatives who are on site to try and resolve the issue. One of our highways team members was struck by a white Land Rover which forced its way through a road closure.
"Luckily the operative was not injured but the incident has been reported to the police and any witnesses are urged to contact the police on 101.”
The county council said its officers are ‘there to help’.
"They are not there to be abused either verbally or physically, and we urge the public to recognise this,” a spokesperson added.
"We want to resolve the issues faced due the adverse weather as much as the public and ask for patience whilst we do so.”
Following an inspection on Monday morning, it was decided that Shripney Road should remain closed ‘due to the current water level’. After a Met Office yellow weather warning was issued – amid the possibility of further heavy rainfall – the council feared there could be ‘increased water levels on the carriageway’.
“Our contractors have begun work to erect a temporary ramp over the flooding at Sack Lane,” a West Sussex Highways update read.
"This will enable vehicle access for all residents. The works are currently expected to be completed by the end of Tuesday (February 10).
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as necessary. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Flooding has been a major issue for much of 2026, so far, with West Sussex no stranger to road closures.