Released: 31 January 2023
The impact of severe weather continues to be felt on the West Sussex Highway network – with the summer’s extreme heat leading to essential overnight resurfacing work about to take place on the B2139 Amberley road.
Much of the B2139 between Storrington and Houghton was severely affected by July’s extreme temperatures. This caused the bitumen in the upper layers of the road to soften to such a degree that the surface was severely damaged, with scarring along significant lengths.
Overnight resurfacing and retexturing works are now scheduled to take place on weekdays, 8pm to 6am, 27 February to 25 March. Please note: these dates could change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the further effects of severe weather.
A West Sussex Highways officer explained: “Every effort is being made to try to minimise the overall impact of these essential works – they will be phased, as you can see on our illustrative map, and take place overnight.
“The road will be closed to through-traffic while our resurfacing works are being carried out, with an alternative signed diversion route via A283 and A29. This route follows the same authorised diversion route as is currently in place due to the ongoing landslide situation on the A29 near Pulborough. We hope that by utilising the same official route and only closing the B2139 to complete works overnight, any traffic displacement and resulting impact on the local area will be minimised.
“Where the road surface has been so severely damaged that the top layer has become scarred, the whole depth of the surface will need to be removed and relayed. Other, less severely affected sections can be retextured.
"Access to homes and businesses will be maintained but may entail having to follow the diversion route.
“When near homes, our contractor will do its best to complete the noisiest part of the works before 11pm.
“We will endeavour to keep those properties most affected by these works informed on the progress of this scheme so that night-time journeys can be planned.”
The County Council has allocated a total of £2million to repair this section of the B2139, plus sections of two other roads in West Sussex that were severely affected by the high summer temperatures:
• A272 Cowfold Road, Bolney (Spronketts Lane to the A23) – completed in December 2022
• A272 Lewes Road, Scaynes Hill (Anchor Hill to the county boundary) – works programme details to be confirmed (a further media release will follow in the near future)
