Disbelief over ‘endless roadworks’ on A29

A business owner has reacted with disbelief after five months of roadworks began on the A29 at Billingshurst.

Billy Willison, owner of Billy’s on the Road, said the works started just three days before her roadside cafe and restaurant reopened.

Natta Building Company, on behalf of Dunmoore Properties Limited, will be carrying out highway improvement works on the A29 Stane Street as required by the planning application DC/18/2122 relating to the new development.

Work started on Monday,

June 29 and is planned to last until November 27.

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 will be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. He added: “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, especially the road closures which she fears will hit her vital passing trade.

Road closures are planned in November and March 2021, contractors Natta said.

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

Jeff Hobby at Dunmoore apologised for any temporary inconvenience caused by the works, adding: “We are confident that when completed the longstanding congestion issues at New Road will be much improved.”

He said there had been lots of space take-up already at the new business park, which would ‘provide much needed employment opportunities for local people and local businesses’.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said the works were developer-led, to construct a roundabout and access road to serve the new business park, and a new foul sewer which needed two and three-way lights - hence the length of the works. He added: “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.”