A23 widening plans go on display

Plans to widen the last unimproved section of the A23 between Crawley and Brighton are going on display to the public for two days.

The scheme for a three-lane carriageway in each direction between Handcross and Warninglid in West Sussex will cost between £76m and £105m.

"It carries over 65,000 vehicles a day, which justifies an extra lane," said Chris Blanken from the Highways Agency.

The exhibition is at St Mary's Church, Slaugham on Friday and Saturday.

It is part of a three-month consultation which lasts until 23 January, with members of the public invited to respond.

Ancient woodland

"The road also has problems of congestion at peak times, plus a poor safety record which we wish to improve," said Mr Blanken.

An area of ancient woodland is sited near the A23 and he said the Highways Agency had taken advice from Natural England about how to limit damage.

"The ancient woodland is an issue we take very seriously," he said.

"We have developed a scheme which includes the widening and mitigation measures."

Mr Blanken said the construction of the scheme was due to start in 2011 and take two years.

Two lanes would be kept open at all stages of the work.