Consultation on a new vision for Horsham Town Centre
We asked
We asked for comments on draft proposals to create a high quality urban public realm in the town centre that considers the needs of all residents, those working in and visiting the town centre. We received well over 800 responses to this consultation and would like to thank all those who took part by completing the survey, attending the drop-in sessions in Swan Walk, or coming to the stakeholder meetings.
You said
Overall, there was strong support for the vision to create a high-quality urban public realm that considers the needs of all users of the town centre.
Respondents were also invited to make comments and suggestions. These comments had a number of recurring themes including
- retaining the appearance of the Carfax with its ‘cobbles’ versus concerns about the uneven surface and the difficulty of maintenance
- balancing the needs of pedestrians and people cycling
- value for money
- the space needed for the bus stop and for loading bays
- restricting through-traffic in the Carfax
Summary of responses
Who responded
| Do you live in Horsham | 98% |
| Do you work in Horsham | 50% |
How do you usually travel to Horsham town centre?
| Bicycle | 5% |
| Bus | 5% |
| Car | 48% |
| Train | 1% |
| Walk | 41% |
| Other | 1% |
What is your age range?
| 25 and under | 5% |
| 26 and 65 | 75% |
| Over 65 | 20% |
Overall Objectives
| Climate | 80% in favour |
| Public Realm | 60% in favour |
| Active Travel | 40% in favour |
Bishopric and Worthing Road:
Respondents in favour of each proposal:
| General Design Principles | 51% |
| Cycle track from Springfield Road to Bishopric | 39% |
| Central part of the Bishopric to retain pedestrian priority | 88% |
| Cycle track from Bus Station and Blackhorse Way to Bishopric | 40% |
| Market and event vehicle access from North | 74% |
| Additional signage/tactile paving | 56% |
| More open entrance to Albion Way | 64% |
| Tree retention and additional planting | 92% |
| Cycle parking by shops | 55% |
| Open up Bishopric West, more tables and chairs, landscaped with trees | 83% |
| Recommended cyclist route | 56% |
| Central plaza new tree planting | 87% |
| New street furniture/space for markets/access | 84% |
Worthing Road and Springfield Road:
Respondents in favour of each proposal:
| Two-way cycle routes to Bishopric and Black Horse Way | 43% |
| Improve access/upgrade pavements | 82% |
| Retain trees where possible and enhance planting | 96% |
| Maintain historic buildings setting | 97% |
| Cycle-friendly route between Worthing Road and Bishopric | 45% |
| Widen and realign bus station crossing | 80% |
Carfax and Medwin Walk:
Respondents in favour of each proposal:
| General Design Principles | 49% |
| Create a pedestrian priority zone/restrict daytime general traffic | 63% |
| Contraflow route from Chart Way to South Street | 38% |
| Shared pedestrian/cycle route in Medwin Walk | 37% |
| More cycle stands | 53% |
| New pedestrian crossing | 74% |
| Retain and replace with sawn York stone | 64% |
| Move bus stop further north | 60% |
| Reorganise and group street furniture/declutter | 75% |
| New market utilities | 89% |
Value for Money:
| Bishopric and Worthing Road | 33% agree | 26% neutral |
| Carfax | 32% agree | 27% neutral |
We did
We will now proceed with further design work incorporating the feedback.
The proposals being progressed are set out below.
Bishopric West and Plaza Area
- Open up the entrance from Albion Way to improve pedestrian flow to and from the pedestrian crossing as proposed.
- Open up this area to improve pedestrian access, especially to the businesses on the northern side of the Bishopric. Include a broad central route through the area between the plaza and the Albion Way crossing which retains pedestrian priority but continues to allow cycling.
- Remove the stream, rocks and birch stand to provide more outdoor eating space for shops, an entertainment space, space for the market and to reinforce the pedestrian connection between this area and Waitrose, John Lewis and Aldi. Relocate the birch stand to Horsham Park if possible. Safeguard space so that possible future cycling provision is not prevented.
- Provide additional cycle parking and green landscaping.
- Alter the proposed paving pattern at the entrance to West St to reinforce that West St is a No Cycling area.
Springfield Road Contraflow
- Provide a contraflow cycle lane from the Albion Way/Springfield Road junction to the pedestrianised area as proposed.
- Adjust the alignment of the indicative north/south cycle routes to retain flexibility of use of the space outside businesses.
Worthing Road Segregated Cycle Lane
- In order to accommodate both existing and future bus operations and to provide a north-south cycle connection across the town, examine further possible options for cycling around the bus station and to and from Black Horse Way.
- Deliver new landscape upgrade to western side of Worthing Road.
- In the context of the current budget, do not proceed with a segregated cycle lane south of the bus station on Worthing Rd. Cycles to continue to share the carriageway on this 20mph section of road.
Carfax
- Remove the proposal for a Pedestrian Priority Zone restricting through-traffic due to unaddressed impacts on access to properties and on deliveries.
- Retain and improve current bus stop facilities and infrastructure. Ensure adequate seating.
- Retain loading bay nearest the Bandstand for market traders and residents and general loading/unloading.
- Retain loading bay outside White Stuff subject to contraflow design via South Street.
- Review options to relocate the proposed new pedestrian crossing point to the southern entrance into Piries Place as a result of retaining current bus arrangements.
- Widen pedestrian crossing points
Carfax Contraflow Cycle Lane
- Review detail design for the contraflow in the light of changes to proposals for bus stop and loading bays. Route preferably to remain via South Street.
Carfax ‘cobbles’ (setts)
- Further engage with West Sussex County Council (WSCC), as Highway Authority, about the value and practicality of retaining the cobbles. If retained, remove the ‘raised tables’ at pedestrian crossing points.
- If WSCC require cobbles to be replaced with asphalt/chippings, agree a surface treatment that is appropriate for the conservation area and retain the raised tables to reduce traffic speeds and to support the operation of the Carfax as a pedestrian priority area.
Medwin Walk and Carfax pedestrian priority areas
- Retain pedestrian priority outside the Swan Walk entrance and throughout Medwin Walk, but safeguard space so that possible future cycling provision is not prevented.
- Renew/repair Medwin Walk York stone paving in line with overall Carfax surface improvements.
- Remove the two-tier bike stand and railed planting areas and provide Sheffield stands for cycle parking.
- Retain current ‘permissive’ attitude towards cycling in the Carfax.
Last updated: 4 Jul 2025