Network operator CityFibre, which has so far deployed their 10Gbps capable full fibre (FTTP) broadband ISP network to cover 4.7 million UK premises (4.5m RFS), has partnered up with BUKO Digital to trial a new traffic (road) management technology to support the delivery of their publicly subsidised Project Gigabit works in West Sussex.
The operator currently holds the Government’s £108m (public subsidy) Project Gigabit contract for the West & East Sussex (Lot 16 & 1) area of England, which will see them extend their 10Gbps capable FTTP network to an additional 57,000 premises in hard-to-reach rural areas (here and here).
As part of this deployment the operator will, from 13th April 2026, need to close Long Furlong road in Worthing for approximately 10 days to complete the network build. Such closures can be highly disruptive for road users – especially on busy roads like this – and so CityFibre are looking to trial a new technology with BUKO Digital to “help keep drivers moving ahead of a road closure“.
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The new Traffic Management technology 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,” said the announcement.
In theory this should enhance communication with drivers and reduce congestion in neighbouring towns, villages and roads etc. The result should be a smoother flow of traffic and better efficiency of works, although it’s never going to completely remove disruption for everybody.
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 Scheme, which works by attempting to incentivise delivery partners to complete works with minimal disruption.
