Issues and objectives

Transport issues and objectives

The A22 between Godstone and East Grinstead, and the A264 between Copthorne and Felbridge, are vital transport corridors that support access to employment, education, and essential services. These routes serve both local journeys between nearby communities and longer-distance travel, providing an important alternative route to the M23 corridor connecting south coast communities and rural parts of West Sussex and Surrey towards Gatwick Airport, the M25 and London. 

Most journeys along these sections of the A22 and A264 are currently made by private car and public transport use is low in parts which can lead to congestion, especially during peak times. Drivers who become frustrated by slow moving traffic sometimes resort to using alternative rural and residential roads that are not equipped to carry high volumes of traffic which can lead to negative impacts on local communities.

Some sections of the corridors do carry a higher volume of buses and there is believed to be an opportunity to grow patronage in these areas, however these existing services can often become stuck in queuing traffic making journeys longer and unreliable which reduces their appeal to prospective passengers.

As new housing and employment developments come forward in the area, the demand for journeys on the transport network is expected to increase. This could be further intensified by future expansion of Gatwick Airport, increasing pressure on the transport network.

The roads pass through several communities where a lack of safe crossings can make it challenging for people to access local destinations by walking, wheeling and bicycle, while there are a number of public rights of way crossings which could be improved for different user groups.

Road safety can also be an issue outside of the main populated areas, including where vehicles find it difficult to turn in and out of side roads.

These challenges reduce the appeal of public transport, walking, and cycling, and restrict access across the corridors for various user groups. Addressing these issues through targeted improvements could significantly enhance connectivity, safety, and travel choice.

Road use has environmental impacts including traffic emissions, noise, and wildlife disruption. The A22 and A264 pass near to areas including the High Weald and Surrey Hills National Landscapes that are protected from major development such as road building, so this needs to be taken into account as we develop any improvements.

The Surrey Transport Plan (opens in new window) [External link] and West Sussex Transport Plan (opens in new window) [External link] set out how the councils intend to address a number of priorities including sustainable economic growth, climate change, public health and community cohesion through transport improvements in areas such as the A22/A264 corridors.

A series of objectives have been developed for the scheme based upon the priorities that are set out within the Surrey Transport Plan and the West Sussex Transport Plan and how these relate to the specific context of the local area around the A22 and A264 corridors.