The fate of a "missing link" holding up the traffic on Burgess Hill's industrial estate is now being considered by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

A plot of half an acre on the Maltings Park Estate is needed to complete a road link between York Road cul-de-sac and the nearby Jane Murray Way. Once connected the road would give access to the relief road running around the western edge of Burgess Hill.

So far Mid Sussex District Council has been unable to seal a deal to buy the land and has now asked Mr Prescott to confirm a compulsory purchase order for the land.

A council spokesman said, despite requesting the order, it would continue talks in the hope of reaching an agreement with the owner.

The owner of the site is not being revealed.

Councillor Peter Martin, chairman of the council's development and transport committee, said: "The York Road link is a vital part of the council's strategic plans for improving access to the industrial estate.

"We have been negotiating with the landowners for this land over a long period but it has not been possible to finalise an agreement.

"The link is urgently needed and the council feels that it has no choice but to make this order."

The link road would also enable factories on the nearby Victoria Industrial Estate to get their lorries on to the relief road and the A23, to which it is connected, more quickly.

For many, years factory bosses complained of snarl-ups as lorries and workers got caught up in jams on the estate's main exits with Royal George Road and London Road.

The problem was eased with a new access road near the Ericsson headquarters but for many firms the new link would give a more direct route to the A23.

Mr Prescott will consider the order in his role as Transport and Environment Secretary.

Under the procedure, the council makes the order and Mr Prescott then decides if it should be confirmed.