Transport plan ‘once in a generation opportunity’
Strategic Investment Plan. The transport body promises to work with local authorities and operators to provide better-connected and accessible multi-modal journeys with users easily able to walk, wheel or cycle for the first and last miles of their journeys.
Following approval Transport for the South East’s attention now turns to delivery. It says it will continue to work with partners from across the region to develop a delivery action plan, setting out the current position of each of the nearly 300 proposed multi-modal schemes within the investment plan. The action plan will focus on the next three years, 2023-2026, and detail what the next steps are and confirm the roles and responsibilities of Transport for the South East and its delivery partners required to make this plan a reality.
Proposed rail improvements include a strategic study for the West Coastway, faster services for both the East Coastway and Arun Valley lines, a new station to the north-east of Horsham, electrification of the Uckfield Branch line, reopening the Lewes to Uckfield Wealden line and High Speed 1 / Marsh Link – Hastings, Bexhill and
Eastbourne upgrade.
Upgrades are also listed for the A27 at Arundel, Worthing and Lancing, East of Lewes, Lewes to Polegate, Worthing (long term), Chichester, Tangmere junction, Fontwell junction, Hangleton junction, Devils Dyke junction, Hollingbury junction and Falmer junction; the A259 at Bognor Regis to Littlehampton, Chichester to Bognor Regis, Level Crossing Removals – East of Rye, South Coast Road Corridor – Eastbourne to Brighton; A29 realignment; A22 corridor between Uckfield and Hailsham and Uckfield bypass dualling; A264 Horsham to Pease Pottage and Crawley Western Link Road, A23 Gatwick to Crawley as well as Hickstead and Bolney junctions; A24 Horsham to Washington and Horsham to Dorking; A26 Lewes – Newhaven realignment and Lewes – Uckfield; A21 Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst & Dualling and Flimwell and Hurst Green Bypasses; and Hastings and Bexhill distributor roads.
A number of areas have interventions such as active travel infrastructure, mobility hubs, mass rapid transit systems, fastways and rural bus corridor enhancements.