A24 Alliance

Press Release

For Immediate Release 17th February 2003

At a lively well-attended second meeting in Southwater Village Hall, of the newly formed Alliance⁽¹⁾ fighting the A24 superhighway plan, there was general agreement that the County Council's proposals were unacceptable. Members are convinced such a scheme would have consequences detrimental to quality of life and the environment, be excessively expensive, not necessarily reduce fatal or serious accidents and create the opportunity for large-scale housing development. Because of the impact such a road would have on communities members decided to take their meetings to venues along the whole length of the road from Worthing to the M25.

Speaking after the meeting, Peter Finch a resident of Worthing said: "This superhighway plan would dramatically increase the volume of traffic heading to the A27 at Worthing from the M25. Even at present levels, traffic is causing serious safety and environmental problems for the residents of Findon Valley, Offington and Broadwater. Over the last few years traffic appears to have doubled, with jams occurring not only in the traditional rush hours at each end of the day, but for most of the day. Whether it is Children walking or cycling to school or the elderly doing their shopping, all have to negotiate dangerous traffic."

Continuing Mr Finch said: "However it was made clear at the meeting by all who spoke that there were very serious concerns, not just at the Worthing end, but all along the road right up to the M25. It was feared that this once local road was being turned into a national superhighway. Members agreed to campaign on a long list of concerns including the speed and volumes of traffic and the safety of those from the many villages along the route who need to cross or join the road. A common thread throughout the meeting was that the road should be removed from the trunk road network used by long distance traffic, and instead reclassified as a road serving local communities."

Finally Mr Finch added: "With so many people along the route wanting to air their concerns members agreed to hold meetings at other locations. The next meeting will at the Sports Pavilion, Church Lane (off London Road, the old A24) Ashington at 7.30pm Thursday, 27 February. Also planned are meetings in Findon and Capel. It was also agreed to seek views from those unable to attend meetings by asking them to e-mail or to write to: A24 c/o PO Box 4144, Worthing BN14 7NZ".

Plans are at an advanced stage to build a new road from Capel to Horsham. There are also plans to construct flyovers etc at the various junctions and roundabouts from Horsham to Worthing.

The accident record of the A24 is very poor mainly due to the high speeds and the uncontrolled increase in volumes of traffic, Crash barriers in the central reservation are being installed, but despite the high speed of traffic along the A24, there are no speed cameras although this is a proven method of reducing speed and improving safety.

In 2002 West Sussex County Council published two proposals for 1) new graded junctions between Ashington and Southwater and 2) the Horsham-Capel extension to cater for a predicted 40% increase in traffic - mostly 'through' traffic.

The A24 Alliance was formed in February 2003 in response to concerns raised by local groups about these initial proposals which are likely to have a significant knock-on effect on the whole of the A24 between Worthing, Findon, Washington, Ashington, Buck Barn, Horsham, Kingsfold, Capel and Dorking as well as adjoining minor country roads and local communities.

To reject the building of flyover and new sections of road for the extra traffic that the discredited predict and provide policy generates.

(1) The A24 Alliance was formed in January 2003 by a number of residents who live in the various villages and individual locations along the A24 from Dorking to Worthing.