Long-term fix for Burgess Hill roundabout next to McDonald’s planned

Due to the fast food chain’s popularity, long queues of cars can form at the drive-thru and these can sometimes spill on to the roundabout.

Councillors of all political persuasion have spent years calling for action, but up to this point no long-term solution has been found.

But now plans are being advanced to turn the roundabout into a four-way signallised junction in order to reduce congestion and queuing by better controlling how traffic travels between Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Civic Way, Station Road, McDonald’s and the public car park.

The new junction would include toucan crossings for pedestrians.

The proposals are part of the ‘Place and Connectivity Programme’ which is a £21 million package of sustainable transport and infrastructure improvements to support the wider growth of the Burgess Hill area.

Residents are encouraged to have their say by viewing the plans at www.burgesshill.net

The proposals have been welcomed by Conservative councillors.

Judy Llewellyn-Burke, deputy leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “These proposals are a direct response to the feedback local councils have received from residents about congestion in this part of Burgess Hill. They are only possible because of the infrastructure funding councils have secured to support the town’s growth.

“Ahead of any improvement works taking place, I would continue to urge McDonald’s to take measures to responsibly manage the impact their operation has on traffic congestion and urge motorists to abide by the highway code and avoid blocking the roundabout.”

Andrew Barrett-Miles, county councillor for Burgess Hill North, said: “At the moment, the roundabout is regularly blocked by motorists trying to access the McDonald’s drive through. These proposals are designed to better manage the flow of traffic through a busy part of town and reduce the risk of gridlock. I would urge residents to comment on the plans. Subject to the outcome of public consultation, the changes will be able to be put in place within the next year.”

This comes as McDonald’s prepares to reopen its drive-thru to the public later this week.

This prompted several district councillors to take to Twitter to predict congestion problems and hope for a solution.

Emma Coe-Gunnell White (Con, Burgess Hill - Dunstall) asked if the ‘inevitable chaos at the roundabout’ would finally jot the district and county councils into action. Fellow ward member Samantha Smith also voiced her frustration, while Robert Eggleston (LDem, Burgess Hill- Meeds) suggested part of the fix would be a second lane for the drive-thru, which would mean the district council having to give up part of its car park for access.

Mr Barrett-Miles confirmed he had spoken about the reopening of McDonald’s with the county council’s area highways manager, who had confirmed nothing further could be done in the short term but if drivers respect the ‘keep clear’ markings on the roundabout, which have recently been repainted, through traffic should not be impeded.

He added: “I therefore ask drivers to follow this advice to make things as easy as possible for all road users. To alleviate this problem permanently will require major engineering works which are currently being considered.”

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