CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, is partnering with BUKO Digital to help keep drivers moving ahead of a road closure in West Sussex. Long Furlong in Worthing will be closed from 13 April for approximately ten days to upgrade the area’s digital infrastructure as part of the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme.

To help manage traffic flows in the local area as a result of the closure of Long Furlong, CityFibre will be trialling BUKO’s Traffic Management technology, which is designed to improve communication with drivers, support smarter diversions and reduce any congestion on adjacent routes that can occur with road closures.

BUKO’s technology intercepts satellite navigation tools such as SatNavs and Google Maps to divert road users more evenly across alternative routes. It also utilises Meta messaging platforms like Facebook to update regular users of affected routes on upcoming diversions. CityFibre’s trial aims to enhance communication with drivers and reduce congestion in neighbouring towns, villages and roads, allowing for a smoother flow of traffic and better efficiency of works.

The closure supports CityFibre’s work to provide vital full fibre broadband infrastructure to hard-to-reach homes and businesses across West Sussex, funded by the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme. Project Gigabit enables rural and harder-to-reach homes and businesses to access faster, more reliable full fibre broadband, reaching parts of the UK that may have otherwise missed out.

Adrian Smith, Partnership Manager for CityFibre, said: “We’re excited to be trialling this impressive technology to benefit road users around the Worthing area. Improved communications with drivers will help us to deliver these essential works quickly and safely whilst also ensuring that drivers and residents are impacted as little as possible. It’s a win-win.”

The BUKO trial is connected to West Sussex Council’s Lane Rental Scheme¹, which incentivises delivery partners to complete works with minimal disruption. The scheme is designed to improve overall quality of local works and encourage more efficient ways of working for the benefit of road users.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Council, said: “Long Furlong is a road heavily used by many drivers in Worthing, so we understand the importance of clear communication and efficient works. The trial with BUKO Digital should help improve the experience for those affected during the works.”

To find out more about when services will be available for your home or business, use the postcode checker on CityFibre’s website.