Highways Agency

The Project

Please note that the 'Targeted Programme of Improvement (TPI)' is now known as the 'Programme of Major Schemes'.

The Highways Agency plans to improve the A23 Trunk Road between Handcross and Warninglid, south of Crawley, in West Sussex. The proposals are intended to improve traffic flow by widening the existing road and improve safety by bringing the road up to modern standards. Junctions would be upgraded and the numerous private and commercial accesses closed with alternative routes provided.

In the period between 2003 and 2007 there were 112 accidents involving personal injuries, 3 of which were fatal. Pedestrian and cyclist facilities in the area are also limited and involve negotiating both carriageways.

The proposed improvements are broadly along the line of the existing A23. Key features are:

• Approximately 3.8km of dual three-lane carriageway to replace the existing dual two-lane carriageway between Handcross and Warninglid junctions located generally within the existing highway boundary.
• Improved road alignments and profiles to increase road safety.
• Closure of direct local residential and commercial accesses and provision of alternative access routes to improve safety.
• Slaugham Junction modified with improved slip roads. 
• Revised junctions at Handcross and Warninglid.
• Relocation and improvement of the weighbridge site at Handcross.
• A two way service road from Warninglid to provide access to commercial and residential properties on the west side of the A23.
• Footway and cycleway between Handcross and Warninglid.
• Designed to keep two lanes open in each direction during construction.
• No carriageway lighting.
• No laybys.
• An estimated interim cost of £69 million (the cost of the scheme is currently under review).

Tenders were invited in Spring 2005 and in June of that year, Carillion plc (formerly Alfred McAlpine Project Services) with designer Jacobs UK were appointed under the Agency's Early Contractor Involvement initiative to progress the scheme through planning and construction. The contract also includes the design and construction of the A27 Southerham to Beddingham scheme, south east of Lewes.

Recent Developments

In July 2006, the Secretary of State for Transport accepted the recommendations of the South East Regional Transport Board on prioritisation of transport infrastructure projects in this area. The effect of this decision meant that funding for construction of this scheme was delayed by three years. We had planned to start this scheme in the financial year 2008/9 but now we expect to start construction in 2011/12.  Further discussions continue with the Regional Transport Board on scheme costs, whilst we continue preparation of the scheme details.

In the Summer of 2006 we carried out data collection studies to find out what animals and plants were living within the area of the scheme. We produced an Environmental Statement which assessed the environmental effects of the scheme and explained what we would do to reduce these effects.

Although the start of works was delayed, we carried on with the surveys and we had hoped to publish the Environmental Statement together with our draft scheme proposals (Orders) in the Spring of 2007.

We reviewed the data at the beginning of 2007 and decided that further surveys would be needed to properly assess the affects of the scheme on the ecology. The additional surveys have now taken place and the results analysed and incorporated into the Environmental Statement.  Subject to there being no outstanding issues with the Regional Transport Board, we now hope to publish the Environmental Statement and draft Orders towards the latter part of 2008.

Before the Environmental Statement and draft Orders are published, we will be holding an exhibition where you can view our proposals and come and speak to us about the scheme. Any comments we receive will be considered and possibly included into the draft Orders before they are published.  We will be providing you with further details of our exhibition on this page of the website a little nearer the time.

You will have the opportunity to comment on and object to the draft Orders.  Depending on the nature and weight of any objections we receive, a Public Inquiry may be held in the middle of next year.