Sunday evening is the right time to prepare for a change on the A23 in West Sussex. National Highways says the southbound carriageway at Bolney is scheduled to close overnight from Monday 10 August through Saturday 15 August, with each closure planned between 20:00 and 06:00. The work follows the northbound phase that ended on Saturday and shifts attention to southbound journeys.
The scheme is replacing expansion joints and installing a surfacing inlay across Bolney Flyover. National Highways says the north expansion joint had failed and no longer met current standards. Working overnight is intended to reduce daytime disruption, but anyone travelling south towards Brighton near the closure window should plan before setting off.
What changes from Monday evening
The published southbound diversion is unusually local. Drivers are due to leave the A23 by the southbound slip road at Bolney and then rejoin using the southbound entry slip road to continue their journey. That does not mean every trip will be delay-free. Traffic can bunch as vehicles leave, negotiate the junction and merge again, particularly near the 20:00 start.
Check the official closure status on Monday afternoon and again before departure. Planned roadworks can change at short notice, and signs on the road take priority over a saved route or navigation app. If you can travel outside the overnight window, compare the safer, calmer option rather than relying on a last-minute diversion.
Your Sunday evening preparation checklist
- Confirm direction: this phase concerns the A23 southbound carriageway at Bolney, not the morning’s M6 Lowther Bridge topic.
- Confirm timing: the published window is 20:00 to 06:00 during 10–15 August.
- Save the source: bookmark the National Highways South East maintenance page and check live travel information before leaving.
- Add a buffer: allow extra time for slowing traffic, the slip-road loop and the merge back onto the A23.
Ready the car before Monday gets busy
Use tonight to complete basic checks in daylight. Clean the windscreen, mirrors and lights; check tyre condition visually; confirm fuel or battery range; charge your phone; and make sure your breakdown provider’s details are available. Pack water and a light layer, especially if children or older passengers will be travelling.
If your usual journey passes Bolney close to 20:00, decide your preferred option before Monday. An earlier departure may be simpler than joining the queue at the changeover; a later journey may avoid the busiest transition but still meet the closure. Share the plan with passengers so nobody is searching for directions while the car is moving.
Keep safety equipment secured and accessible. A high-visibility vest should be reachable before anyone steps out of the vehicle. A compact window breaker and seatbelt cutter belongs firmly secured inside the passenger compartment, not loose in the boot. A warning triangle can be useful on suitable roads, but it must never be placed on a motorway carriageway.
JUFO practical pick: 3-in-1 Roadside Breakdown Kit — £17.95
The JUFO 3-in-1 Roadside Breakdown Kit combines a high-visibility vest, folding warning triangle and 2-in-1 window breaker with seatbelt cutter. Keep the vest accessible, leave the triangle packed on motorways, and secure the escape tool where an occupant can reach it. The kit is preparation equipment, not a substitute for following official breakdown guidance.
Make signs and live information the final word
This article reflects the National Highways schedule available on Sunday 9 August 2026. Before travelling, check the official South East maintenance schemes page and current traffic updates. Access arrangements and closure timing can change as work progresses.
The practical decision tonight is simple: know that the next phase is southbound, note the 20:00 Monday start, and prepare the car before the working week begins. A few minutes of planning now can prevent a rushed lane change or an unexpected stop tomorrow evening.
