2 weeks Ago
Plans are in the works to expand a service station and McDonald’s restaurant as part of a scheme to tackle traffic and safety issues on a main road. Proposals have been submitted to redevelop the Buck Barn service station on the A24 near Horsham, which would see the McDonald's drive-through repositioned and a new Costa coffee drive-through created. Prior to submitting the planning application, applicants Knepp Estate said the site has “long-term, serious issues” with road safety, littering, the environmental performance of the building and the layout.
The estate said the redevelopment of the site will “finally resolve these issues”. Plans would also see improvements to the existing slip road from the A24 and more car parking spaces would be created. The existing car wash would be relocated to the south west of the site to maximise the forecourt space of the current petrol fuelling station.
Read more: Campaigners preparing legal bid to stop expansion of Sussex windfarm The site currently consists of a petrol station, car wash and parking areas as well as a drive by McDonald’s restaurant. It is hoped the proposals will improve traffic flow (Image: Mountford Pigott) “The further development of Buck Barn Services seeks to resolve the well documented highway issues at the site, which have caused tailbacks at the surrounding roads,” said Mountford Pigott on behalf of the Knepp Estate. “The improved internal circulation and deceleration lane off the A24 should improve matters.
“It is acknowledged that the existing complicated access arrangement for the existing services site and density of existing restaurant/retail facilities has not operated successfully, with demand for the drive-through, in particular, leading to overspill beyond the confines of the existing services site and disruption to the wider highway network at certain peak times and hours.” Documents went onto explain the issues further. They said: “The existing McDonalds drive-thru creates a conflict with the station’s users when there are more than eight vehicles in the queue, which results in traffic congestion within the access lane, often blocking the A272 junction.
“Given vicinity of the A272 junction to the crossroads with A24, a knock-on effect is potentially detrimental to the wider highways’ situation. “Therefore, the current layout is in a fundamental need of a highways’ improvement.” Mountford Piggott said the aims of the project includes improving highway safety, the quality and range of facilities at the services, to create additional local employment opportunities and to improve the energy performance of buildings on the site.
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