A23/Expressway

Overview

In the Strategic Road Network Initial Report published in 2017 it states that the A23 is a future Expressway. Its unclear how Expressways would be signed, or if they will happen at all. The road may become the A23(M), or be designated as an extension of the M23. In order for a section to have the expressway status it has to have gone through 4 phases, of which some of the A23 south of M23 has already been through.

Phase 1

• The section needs to have two or three lanes
  • Pease Pottage - Hickstead has three lanes
  • Hickstead to Pyecombe has two lanes
  • Pyecombe to Patcham has three/four lanes
• No roundabouts
  • Only roundabout is on the southern end of the dual carriageway
• No Traffic Lights
  • No Traffic Lights present on main carriageway
• No Right Turns
  • No Right Turns since 1990s
• Provision for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and slow moving vehicles
  • Former NCN Route 20 follows dedicated cycle path / old road beside entire route of the expressway.
  • Extensive alternative N-S road network for other road users, except through the South Downs NP.

Phase 2

• Replacing central barriers with rigid concrete
  • Pease Pottage - Handcross - steel
  • Handcross - Warninglid - concrete
  • Warninglid - Patcham - steel

Phase 3

• Introduction of technology
  • Two VMS located at Pyecombe
  • One VMS located between Pyceombe and Patcham
• Introduction of emergency areas
  • Currently none dedicated
  • No Hard Shoulder either
  • Some Laybys/Bus stops are available that could be converted.

Phase 4

Motorway (expressway) designation of the complete corridor