Pulborough in Uproar Over A29 Road Closure
Residents of Pulborough are fuming as the A29 remains shut, splitting their village in two after a landslide back in December 2022. The community staged a lively protest on Sunday, rallying behind the hashtag #FixTheA29 to vent their mounting frustration over the complete silence on when the vital road will reopen.
Costly Chaos and No Answers
One protest organiser blasted the council, saying: “The closure is causing huge headaches and costing businesses a fortune. It’s made worse because no one knows when the road will be fixed.”
Residents are now compiling personal cost reports and demanding West Sussex County Council pays up, planning to send them a damaging ‘invoice’ for the fallout — which locals squarely blame the council for.
Historic Wall Destroyed, Signs a Disaster
Adding insult to injury, a lorry knocked down a historic village wall amid the chaos caused by the closure. Locals slam the council’s shoddy signage as “hopeless,” calling it the root of the road confusion and driver mayhem.
“This is sad for everyone. It’s sad for the stressed drivers, the ruined signs, the historic wall, and the property owners. Be kind.” – A Pulborough resident
Council’s Workaround Plans Spark More Disputes
The A29 was blocked on December 28, 2022, after a landslide between Station Road and St Mary’s Church. A packed council meeting on February 27 saw locals vent their anger, demanding answers.
West Sussex County Council acknowledged the disruption and hardship. They’re considering reopening the road temporarily with a single lane and two-way traffic lights. However, they worry this could cause even more confusion amid ongoing talks with landowners for access to essential repair sites.
A council spokesperson said: “We’re working hard to strike a deal with landowners to carry out the necessary works and bring back two-way traffic. Installing temporary concrete block lanes might just confuse drivers further and complicate matters.”
But Pulborough’s residents are clear—they won’t back down until the A29 is fully reopened.
