Pulborough’s long-running A29 disruption continues despite a Magistrates’ Court ruling in January 2026 dismissing appeals by the landowners responsible for the unstable embankments at Church Hill. The decision did however, allow WSCC to progress long-delayed safety works following the December 2022 landslide that forced the road’s closure.

The A29 reopened in April 2023 under single‑lane, traffic‑light control — a temporary measure that has now lasted more than three years. WSCC has repeatedly stated that full reopening is impossible until stabilisation works are completed on the privately owned slopes. Legal challenges, injunctions, and appeals have slowed progress, including a further delay in April 2026 when a landowner secured an injunction halting tree and bank works.

The road reopened on 6 May 2026 after the injunction was partially lifted, but WSCC warns that further legal steps may still be required.

Meanwhile, residents fear that the A29 bottleneck will worsen as major housing developments move forward. Construction is due to start at New Place Farm and Greendene soon, while large-scale proposals at The Toat and Adversane (Kingswood) could add thousands of additional vehicle movements to an already strained network.

Local businesses say the prolonged disruption has reduced passing trade and increased delivery times, while residents face increased traffic volumes on minor roads, and commuters struggle with unpredictable delays at peak times.

WSCC says it remains committed to resolving the Church Hill issue and is exploring all legal avenues to secure long-term stability works.

Update: A29 Church Hill road closure – Monday 14^th September 2026

The A29 Church Hill Road in Pulborough will be closed on Monday 14 September from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

The closure will be in place between the A283 junction and New Place Road.

The road will be closed to undertake a programmed annual inspection of the traffic lights at this location. Work includes inspecting the lights, poles, wiring and electrical connections to make sure everything is working and operating safely.

Emergency vehicles will still be able to use the road. All other traffic will need to follow the signed diversion route while the road is closed.

For more information click here

Explainer: A29 Church Hill — Why It Happened, Why It’s Still Not Fixed, and What It Means for Pulborough’s Future

1. What happened in December 2022?

A landslide occurred on steep, privately owned embankments at the narrowest point of the A29. Geo‑technical assessments found the slopes unstable, forcing WSCC to close the road for safety.

2. Why did it reopen as a single lane?

With no permission from landowners to carry out stabilisation works, WSCC installed concrete blocks and traffic lights in April 2023. This allowed controlled single‑file traffic while preventing vehicles from passing close to the unstable slopes.

3. What’s happening legally?

• Feb 2024: WSCC issued statutory notices requiring landowners to remove dangerous trees.
• 2024–2025: Landowners appealed; the case was delayed by court backlogs.
• Jan 2026: Magistrates’ Court dismissed the appeals, allowing WSCC to proceed.
• Apr 2026: A landowner obtained an injunction halting planned works; partial lifting allowed reopening on 6 May.

WSCC cannot legally enter private land without permission or court authority — the core reason for the prolonged delay.

4. What’s next?

WSCC is preparing further legal steps if cooperation remains limited. Full reopening depends on:

• stabilisation of embankments;
• removal of unsafe trees;
• long-term engineering works.

Until then, the single‑lane system will remain.

Timeline of Key Events

• Dec 2022 — Landslide forces full closure of A29 at Church Hill.
• Apr 2023 — Road reopens as single lane with traffic lights.
• Feb 2024 — WSCC issues statutory notices; landowners appeal.
• Jan 2026 — Court dismisses appeals.
• Apr–May 2026 — Injunction delays works; road reopens 6 May.
• Aug 2026 — Scheduled traffic-light maintenance requires temporary closure.

Impact on Residents, Commuters and Businesses

Residents

• Increased congestion on Lower Street, Swan View, and residential cut‑throughs.
• Higher noise and pollution levels.
• Longer travel times for school, healthcare, and daily errands.

Commuters

• Unpredictable delays during peak hours.
• Disrupted connections to Horsham, Billingshurst, Bognor, and the A24 corridor.
• Increased pressure on alternative routes such as West Chiltington Road and Nutbourne.

Local Businesses

• Reduced passing trade.
• Longer delivery times and higher transport costs.
• Some report sustained downturns since 2023.

Emergency Services

Although access is maintained, single‑lane controls still pose potential delays.

Future Pressure: How New Housing Developments Could Make the A29 Bottleneck Worse

Pulborough’s road network is already under strain — and several major developments will add further pressure:

New Place Farm (Pulborough)

• 160 homes to be built in phases. The first 10 homes are subject to a current planning application
• Expected to generate significant additional vehicle movements onto the A29 and A283.
• Construction traffic expected to affect peak‑time flow.

Greendene (Pulborough)

• Another large residential development feeding directly into the A29 corridor.
• Increased demand on already congested junctions, especially around Swan Corner and the railway bridge.

The Toat (Pulborough border)

• Proposed development with substantial housing numbers.
• Likely to increase traffic through the A29/A283 junctions and local rural lanes used as bypass routes.

Adversane — Kingswood (3,200‑home proposal)

• A new settlement the size of a small town.
• Even with planned schools, shops, and employment space, thousands of daily vehicle movements are expected.
• Traffic modelling already indicates significant pressure on the A29 north–south corridor, including Pulborough’s bottlenecks.
• If the A29 remains single‑lane, cumulative impacts could be severe.

Why This Matters for Pulborough’s Future

The A29 Church Hill issue is no longer just a landslide problem — it is a strategic infrastructure challenge affecting:

• village mobility
• economic vitality
• emergency response
• future development capacity
• long-term planning for Horsham District

With multiple developments adding thousands of new residents and vehicles, the A29 bottleneck risks becoming a structural constraint on Pulborough’s growth and quality of life.