Business owner hits out at ‘endless’ roadworks on major road near Horsham

A business owner said she reacted with disbelief after five months of roadworks were revealed for the A29.
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Billy Willison, owner of Billy’s on the Road, said the works started just three days before the roadside cafe and restaurant reopened, after three and a half months of closure due to lockdown restrictions.

Natta Building Company, on behalf of Dunmoore Properties Limited, will be carrying out highway improvement works on the A29 Stane Street, Land North of Hilland Farm, Billingshurst as required by the planning application No. DC/18/2122 relating to the new development.

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Work started on Monday, June 29 and is planned to last until November 27.

Billy outside Billy's on the RoadBilly outside Billy's on the Road
Billy outside Billy's on the Road

Billy said: “After three months of lockdown, with not a car on the road, now you decide to start five months of road works in the week that lockdown ends. It is unbelievable.”

Matt Sainty, commercial director at Natta said the roadworks are being progressed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

He added: “The traffic management scheme has been designed in conjunction with the local authority to minimise disruption whilst allowing safe working.

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“We recognise that there is never a good time for construction works of this nature but they will enable the development of the business park which will bring employment to the area and benefit the wider economy.”

Billy said she felt ‘completely deflated and angry’ after learning of the works.

The works are yet to have a major impact, but she said she fears when road closures are put in place passing trade, which the business relies on, will be hit.

Closures are due to be put in place on Stane Street at the A29 junction with New Road and on New Road, in November this year and potentially March 2021, contractors Natta said.

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Billy said the works were started ‘without so much as [a] scrap of consideration to local businesses’.

She added: “The life blood of this roadside business is passing traffic. Can someone please explain who is going to save my business.”

Billy condemned the works as a ‘joke’ and said the impact on the local economy would be a ‘complete disaster’.

Jeff Hobby at Dunmoore said the firm has undertaken the road works as required by the council highways team and it is very sorry to hear of any temporary inconvenience caused by them.

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He added: “We are confident that when completed the longstanding congestion issues at New Road will be much improved.

“We have worked with the county council to minimise the on-highway works, including the majority of the new roundabout being built off-line.

“The works necessary to facilitate the development of the new business park which will provide much needed employment opportunities for local people and local businesses.

“There has been lots of space up-take from business already and many more engaging.

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“The first of the units will open and trading in Q4 of this year, which will compliment and increase business generally in the local area.

“We have a constant dialogue with the parish council and would happy to discuss this further with any local business.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said the council appreciates this is a ‘particularly challenging time’ for businesses.

He added: “These are developer-led, highway improvement works to construct a roundabout and access road, which will serve a new business park, also currently being built.

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“There is also work to construct a new foul sewer to serve the business park. This will need a combination of two and three-way lights - hence the overall length of the works.

“Work started on 29 June and letters were sent to residents/business within a mile radius. The construction company has said it will try to minimise the impact of the works as much as possible and keep people informed at the different stages.”

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