A23 - A27
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Ordnance Survey map - Alternative aerial view
Where is it?
The southern end of the A23's motorway standard section, on the northern fringe of Brighton.
What's wrong with it?
It's just all wrong. The A23 is a motorway standard road which has come from the end of the M23 and whizzed traffic on two and three lane sections all the way to here. And it ends at a roundabout. As if this weren't bad enough (and it's not), to get anywhere from there requires turning left, going uphill, passing a right turn, going round one or two more roundabouts, and only then joining the A27. It's cumbersome, slow, and what's worse it's practically brand new.
Why is it wrong?
It's basically a combination of a railway line, steep hills and a built-up area. But can't space be found for a left turn from the A23 to A27 eastbound at the very least? Apparently not. The wider problem seems to be a tight fist with regards to cash.
What would be better?
How about some free-flowing links? Yes, this junction is sited in a steep and hilly area, pushed up against the suburbs of Brighton. But a left turn for southbound traffic would squeeze in, and after that you can get rid of the dumbell interchange over the A27 because north-side links aren't needed. Close off the right-turn on the linking road for an almost-trumpet, keeping the roundabout to access the A23 into Brighton.
Right to Reply
Email me with your comments.
Ferry sort-of defends the junction:
I don't think that a slip from A23 southbound to A27 eastbound is that feasible. Firstly there are quite a few buildings along the A23. In fact they knocked down enough when the A27 was built. Also, the land is suprisingly steep around there, so a fairly fierce cutting would needed.
Also the slip from A27 Eastbound off to the A23 roundabout is quite popular really. I don't see how that could be lost.
I've driven through this junction a lot over the years and it actually works surpsing well. In fact I went through it last night. At peak hours southbound traffic rarely queues back up the A23. Congestion is usually from the slip from the A27 Westbound down to the strange roundabout.
Additionaly, I think it is useful that traffic slows right down for the roundabout, because the A23 is single from there right down to the pier. A 50mph speed limit starts just before the junction going southbound.
Clearly the junction is not pretty, but I've always thought they did about as best as was possible under the cicurmstances.
Sarah J adds:
I believe that the junction is the best one in a bad place. Some of the main comments concern turns that I do most days, since I live just off that grey road. A slip from A23 S/B to A27 E/B is impossible, there are playing fields, a RSPCA centre and houses just off that section, as well as steep hill. What is needed is a third lane on the A27 from the A23 juntion eastbound to the Holligbury junction, plus re-modelling of THAT junction. And perhaps one Eastbound.
John J writes:
The bit that I find a problem is on a busy day, traffic coming down the slip road from the A27 and going to the A23 NB can't get onto the roundabout because of the continuous line of stationary traffic on the R_A_B /A23 SB. A yellow box junction would be useful (except that most drivers ignore these anyway!).
Martyn Feather thinks the whole area is a bit of a problem:
You're right, it is a mess. Unfortunately, as you quite rightly point out, it is slap bang up against the Brighton suburbs. It is also on the southern limit of the proposed South Downs National Park, so improvement to the situation is nigh on impossible. It is effectively the best of a bad bunch.
Added to this, just to the west of this junction is the junction with Dyke Road (another dumbell), a major arterial route into and out of the centre of Brighton. So a lot of traffic joins the A27 here. The feeder lane from the Dyke Road junction, suddenly becomes the slip road for the A23, so just beyond this junction there's a lot of weaving and lane swapping going on, between those wishing to move left to gain access to the A23, and those wishing to follow the A23 east.
Colin thinks it's a regional affair: (Apr 08)
This junction is a considerable bottle neck, particularly at peak times. Owing to the poor traffic flow there is a knock on effect, on to minor roads in the vicinity.
There are limited North/South routes over the South Downs and rural roads are heavily used, as poeple endeavour to avoid this junction. Additionally the A23/A27 junction is part of the principle route from the South Coast to London. Traffic from Eastbourne and Newhaven Port are directed to use this junction as the principle route North.
Once the Beddingham road works, near Lewes (8-10 miles East) are completed this junction will become a greater bottle neck, traffic diificulties east of Lewes will have been alleviated moving the problem at this junction.
