Full reconstruction work on sinking road is to take place

Long-awaited restoration work is finally to take place on the mysterious sinking road surface of Rumbolds Hill in Midhurst.
SUS-181004-112734001SUS-181004-112734001
SUS-181004-112734001

The work will take place between June 10 and 23 when Rumbolds Hill, West Street and Petersfield Road will be closed for 24 hours a day while complete carriageway reconstruction is carried out.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said it was likely to take about a fortnight to complete. Meanwhile, highways officers would continue to monitor the road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This is a key junction, between the A272 and A286 and, unfortunately, the road will have to be closed to through-traffic for the safety of road users and the workforce, with signed diversions in place.

“We can only apologise for the inconvenience this will cause but we will do everything we can to get the work done as efficiently and safely as possible.

“More detailed information and communications will be provided to residents, businesses and other key stakeholders leading up to, and well in advance of, the works.”

The news was welcomed by town councillors who have been calling for extensive renovation work for a decade. But Steve Morley said he was concerned about the timing of the work in June.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“From August 1-24 Scottish and Southern Electricity are doing work on Rumbolds Hill. Everyone will go berserk if the road is finally sorted out and then someone else comes to dig it up again.” He said the work was essential but wanted to draw contractors’ attention to the two sets of work proposed.

The road has been repaired on many occasions since potholes and cracks began appearing ten years ago. In January calls were made for an urgent investigation after the latest damage was described as ‘the worst deterioration since the problem started’.

Residents said there could be a serious accident and lumps of rock flying off the road posed a hazard to pedestrians.