Map of Missing Link
The cycle route between Horsham and Crawley potentially offers a safe and convenient route for people on bikes.
Although the route is largely complete, there is a critical gap just north of Horsham where it has to cross the Horsham bypass (A264), effectively preventing the route from being used.
It is now time to complete the route – and fix Horsham’s Missing Link!
Has there been any movement on this? moved to the area from a place with better infrastructure and I have wanted to cycle commute to the crawly business park area from the South of Horsham.
I did a sighting ride last weekend and had the pleasure of navigating across the A264… its disgusting. Had the misfortune to watch a parent trying to get their stranded child to cross the westbound (opposite wimland road) traffic from the centre grass divider; the child separated from their parent was absolutely balling their eyes out with heavy traffic going by. if the kid mistimed/hesitated under the stress to get to their parent, could have easily been lethal.
Would be amazing if they put a cycle path along the A264, the road follows a fairly level ground with a max height change of ~50ft, while the other routes I could take are winding and have abrupt or long 150ft/220ft changes in elevation through country roads and sometimes mud paths. A straight shot along a separated relatively flat cycle lane would be ideal and cut the journey time nicely and remove the dread of hill climbs and traffic.
The new roundabout west on the A264 does improve the crossing but does little to motivate the cycle commute to Crawley, it extends the route and adds climbs for little overall benefit for the leg between Crawley and Horsham. The current country road route is good for a Sunday ride but not great if you want to get somewhere quickly with minimal effort.
Hello Henry we’re just getting back to using this website and I found that your comment hadn’t been approved – so I’ve finally done it!
A couple of things have changed in recent years. First the pedestrian and cycle bridge at the Rusper Road roundabout has been built, thus giving a safe crossing of the A264. I feel it’s a real benefit for walking and cycling to Mowbray and Bohunt school.
And the Missing Link – which this post was originally about – is in the process of being built. The developers for Mowbray have started work on the new path, and have closed the existing bridleway whilst that happens. It will take quite a few months to complete I think.
None of this gets us a useful route to Crawley, as you point out. The only thing that has changed here is that WSCC has an A264 cycle path between Horsham and Crawley as one of their priority routes in their LCWIP document, which was published a couple of years ago. However, there is no money or any plan to actually build the route!
I have cycled between Horsham and Crawley for many years, for work and now retired to visit family. The route has improved a lot near the Crawley end but we still have this ridiculous gap! Crossing the A264 at most times is a nightmare, There are no safe crossings points between the underpass at the golf course west of Horsham and the pedestrian crossing at Gossops Green. (The Holmbush farm underpass and the Buchan footbridge are of little use to cyclists). That’s about 7 miles of fast dual carriageway. Thus no way to escape or re-enter Horsham on foot or by bike. I think I am ranting!
I’m in favour of both the missing link as well as a segregated track alongside the A264. Some Manor Royal businesses are struggling to attract employees due to lack of parking and congestion is a big problem in rush hour. With a normal bike or an e-bike this would offer a swift commute – probably quicker than by car or train.
What would be the timescale for both of these to be completed?
Hi Robert, many thanks for your comments. There are no definite timescales as yet but WSCC have committed to delivering both the off-road route and the more direct route along the A264. The forum is pushing hard for both, and there is no technical reason why the Missing Link could not be delivered sooner rather than later (we’ve been waiting long enough!)
If you would like to be kept up to date with our activities and campaigns please email me on info@hdcf.org.uk
Is it still safe to cycle along the A264? Are there any footpaths along it?
Hi, thanks for getting in touch. The Missing Link is about enabling a safe crossing for cyclists *across* the A264. This would then complete the off-road cycle route to Crawley (designated as National Cycle Route 228).
As you rightly say, there is also no safe cycleway *along* the A264. Providing this more direct link to Crawley is a longer term aspiration for WSCC.
If you would like to be kept up to date with our activities and campaigns please email me on info@hdcf.org.uk
Fully agree with this – the end of the route is a bit of a disgrace at the moment!
yes this would be sensible and long overdue!