News Release : 17 January 2001

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESSES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO A23 HANDCROSS TO WARNINGLID

The South East England Regional Assembly is pressing for early improvements to the A23 Handcross to Warninglid.

Members of the Regional Assembly's Planning Committee voted in support of the trunk road improvement at a meeting last week, after it was invited by the Highways Agency to suggest schemes for early implementation.

The improvement scheme involves widening of the existing road, with limited realignment of the carriageway where necessary to meet modern design standards.

Local Regional Assembly member Councillor Graham Forshaw said: "The proposed scheme would be consistent with the advice in Regional Planning Guidance to make best use of current infrastructure and improve overall levels of safety."

"In addition it would be consistent with the objective of improving connections between the south coast regeneration area and the more economically successful areas of the region identified in the Regional Economic Strategy."

Cllr Forshaw continued: "The online solution also reduces the impact of the new, safer road on the environment."

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007