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A key South Downs road will not reopen until after Christmas.

West Chiltington Road – a key route between the A259 Pulborough and West Chiltington – remains closed at Panners Drive following flooding and ‘severe damage’ to the road surface after the collapse of a culvert that runs under the carriageway.

West Sussex County Council revealed today (Friday, December 22) that the works needed to re-open the road are ‘so significant’ that they will ‘not take place until Tuesday, January 2’.

A council spokesperson added: “Following a full assessment of the damage and the work needed to repair the culvert and road, we regret that they cannot be completed before Christmas.

West Chiltington Road – a key route between the A259 Pulborough and West Chiltington – remains closed at Panners Drive following flooding and ‘severe damage’ to the road surface after the collapse of a culvert that runs under the carriageway. Photo: West Sussex County Council

“The repair works require a full excavation of the affected areas and reconstruction and the use of concrete to strengthen the culvert. We will then need to reconstruct around 100square metres of carriageway. Due to the amount of work needed, it is not possible to do this prior to Christmas.

“This is unavoidable and we ask for people’s understanding and patience as we understand the inconvenience the road closure will cause."

The council said the work scheduled to start on January 2nd this is ‘subject to unforeseen factors’, such as severe weather.

"Our contractor will need to ensure there is no ingress of water into the work areas during construction,” the spokesperson added.

Drivers are being warned not to remove barriers or attempt to drive along a key South Downs road which has been shut since Friday following flooding. Photo contributed

"If we have high volumes of rain over the coming days, this may delay the works required.”

The council urged those undertaking journeys in the area to ‘plan additional time for their trips’.

There is no access between Pulborough and West Chiltington via West Chiltington Road and drivers are asked to refrain from moving the barriers and attempting to travel down this stretch of road.

Diversion route signage has been put up at strategic points. The route is:

– Harborough Hill to The Common to Mill Road (North);

– The Hollow to Broadford Bridge Road to Adversane Lane (West);

– Stane St A29 (South) to Lower Street A283 (East);

– Mare Hill Road to West Chiltington Road.

Key South Downs road will not reopen until after Christmas following flooding and ‘severe damage’