A23 collision causes morning travel disruption
Live updates on the overnight crash that has affected morning travel.
The road leading to the capital remains impassable after a crash on Tuesday evening.
A collision occurred at around 10.15pm on April 16, Sussex Police said.
Emergency services are dealing with a serious crash on the northbound side close to Albourne. Barriers have been erected from Pyecombe and are likely to remain in position throughout the morning rush hour. Diversions are being signposted.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage from that stretch of the A23 should get in touch with Sussex Police via their website, quoting Operation Malling.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue also attended the scene that night.
Road likely to stay closed until morning
Investigations will be carried out during daylight hours on April 17 while the road remains out of action, National Highways said. The route is not expected to reopen until later today at the earliest.
The A23 northbound is blocked between the B2117 at Hurstpierpoint and the B2118 at Sayers Common following a serious crash at 10.19pm on April 16. Sussex Police is coordinating the response to this multi-vehicle incident, which has left several people with serious injuries. The road was first closed to allow emergency services to work safely and begin the required forensic examination. Such probes are obligatory after serious collisions and must be concluded fully before traffic can resume.
Diversion routes
No official diversionary routes have been put in place, according to National Highways, and drivers are being told to use local roads instead.
Traffic mapping
[Map showing the A23 closure]
Police seek witnesses
Sussex Police has been approached for further information.
Teenagers taken to hospital
The serious crash involved two cars and one lorry. Three young people sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital.
Long tailbacks
One southbound motorist on the A23 this morning spoke of heavy congestion as traffic builds due to the closure. They said they had passed the delays going the opposite direction, with lengthy queues building up. Traffic is being directed up the A273 and through Hassocks. The backlog extended as far as the A27 junction and, travelling westwards, back to the Devils Dyke junction on the A27 slip road.
No estimate for reopening
National Highways said there is currently no estimate for when the road will reopen after Tuesday night’s crash.
The A23 northbound between B2117 at Hurstpierpoint and B2118 at Sayers Common remains shut due to a multi-vehicle collision. Police officers are still at the scene. There is no estimate for when the road will reopen at this time.
Delays on A27
Delays of approximately ten minutes are being logged on the A27 eastbound exit slip leading to the A23 by National Highways.
The A23 northbound stays closed after Tuesday night’s crash. The stretch between B2117 at Hurstpierpoint and B2118 at Sayers Common remains blocked. Officers from Sussex Police are still at the scene. No estimate for reopening has been given.
Delays through Hassocks
The AA is reporting eight-minute delays on the A273 London Road northbound between A23 London Road and Stanford Avenue.
Fuel and oil spillage
A spillage of fuel and oil on the carriageway is also being dealt with, National Highways confirmed.
The A23 northbound between B2117 at Hurstpierpoint and B2118 at Sayers Common remains closed due to a collision from yesterday evening. There is also a diesel and oil spillage in the carriageway which is being treated.
All lanes now reopened
Following Tuesday evening’s incident, the A23 northbound between B2117 at Hurstpierpoint and B2118 at Sayers Common has now reopened. The substantial oil and fuel spillage has been cleared. There are no delays or congestion in the area. Drive safely.