Packed Save Our Town meeting in Burgess Hill: residents voice concerns about Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme

The open forum was at Cyprus Hall on Thursday, February 16, so people could discuss growing concerns about the current roadworks.

It took place following criticisms of the Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme and its new cycle paths, which has seen the removal of the Station Road mini roundabout.

The evening was chaired by Beki Adam who said: “Thank you all for being active citizens and for caring about the future of such an important town.”

She said the situation was ‘changing very fast’ so the meeting aimed to look at new developments and proposed resolutions.

The first speaker was John Samson who had previously helped promote local businesses on social media after the Covid lockdowns.

He said: “Burgess Hill is very close to my heart and together I think we can do something positive.”

He added: “I met many wonderful business owners who do so much for their community. Haven’t they been through enough?”

John then screened a video featuring Gordon Parr highlighting what they perceive to be problems with the construction project on Station Road. This video included criticisms of shared cycle paths, the brickwork, cycle lane widths and the overall design. Afterwards Gordon offered a technical exploration of these issues.

Beki then criticised a recent joint statement from West Sussex County Council and Mid Sussex District Council about the Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme.

The statement said it was a 'government-funded scheme to improve safety and support cycling and walking’.