AROUND 26,000 motorists could benefit from a proposed £75 million upgrade of the A27.

Four junctions along a nine mile section of the A27 between Lewes and Polegate will be improved, a section of the Polegate bypass will be upgraded to a dual carriageway and walking and cycling facilities along the whole stretch will be enhanced.

The plans were put to the public last year, with 78 per cent of respondents backing the need for improvements.

Today Highways England announced the results of the consultation and the preferred options being taken forward at each location.

Highways England Project Manager Tom Beasley said: “People’s input has helped to shape our plans and we’ve made some key changes to our proposals to make sure they deliver the biggest benefit.

“In particular we’ve prioritised improvements at Polegate including the Gainsborough Lane junction, over the Selmeston bypass option and introduced a new enhanced option for upgrading the Wilmington junction – all as a result of people’s input.

“There will be an opportunity for people to see more detailed plans when we present the final designs at public exhibition events next year.”

The plans include:

• Widening Drusillas Roundabout to improve journeys along the A27 and for north-south traffic at the junction

• A new option for upgrading Wilmington junction, making it easier for drivers to join or leave the A27 and including a horse rider and cycle friendly Pegasus crossing

• Widening a half a mile section of the A27 between the Polegate interchange and the Cophall roundabout to a dual carriageway, and an upgraded, signalised junction at Polegate

• Near to the Polegate interchange, as a result of the consultation, introducing new proposals for upgrading the Gainsborough Lane junction by providing a right turn facility

• Significant enhancements to the walking and cycle routes along this nine mile stretch of the A27, including a new pedestrian and cycle path between Firle and Polegate

Proposals to upgrade Selmeston junction have been withdrawn after no options could be found that would deliver a worthwhile benefit without having an unacceptable impact on the South Downs national park.

A public consultation on the options was held from October to December 2016.

A total of 1,140 responses were received during this consultation.

Work could start in the Spring of 2020 with the full scheme open to traffic in 2022.