A24 bus stops to be suspended after crash chaos

A series of bus stops along the A24 will be suspended following a crash earlier this month.
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Traffic chaos was caused along the road after a bus and a van collided on Friday January 15.

Emergency services, including members of the Air Ambulance, were called at 7.30am and a man was airlifted to hospital.

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Following the crash residents raised concerns about buses stopping along the road, calling for pull-ins to be created or for the stops to be removed altogether.

In a meeting held at County Hall in Chichester last night (Wednesday January 27) West Sussex County Council Highways officers discussed the issue and announced five stops would no longer be used.

A spokesman said: “The collision is still under investigation by Sussex Police and we await the outcome of that investigation.

“This section of the A24 is subject to a Clearway order which prohibits vehicles waiting on the carriageway. Buses are exempt, however, and are permitted to stop to pick up and set down passengers.

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“We are aware of and understand the public concerns raised by this incident and have met with the bus operator to discuss the operation of this stop and a number of others on the A24.

“Metrobus has decided that it will be suspending the Washington northbound stop and four others from January 30, pending a review and consultation with service users. Metrobus will advise service users of alternatives where possible.

“Compass Travel, which operates the No 23 route on a Sunday, will also no longer service these stops.

“The County Council supports this difficult decision and will be working with Metrobus and other operators to find a solution to the safety concerns raised.

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“However there are no easy or quick solutions to this situation and so it is expected these bus stops may be out of use for some time.”

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