Improvements planned for jammed A27
12:52pm Friday 16th May 2008
One of the most congested roads in the country could be in line for a raft of traffic-easing improvements.
Improvement plans for the A27 at Worthing and Arundel have been submitted to the South East England Regional Transport Board, part of the South East England Regional Assembly.
The news emerges as figures obtained by The Argus show the east-west trunk road is one of the busiest in the UK.
Delays between Portsmouth and Hastings average 3.1 minutes for every ten miles travelled and 2.7 minutes in the reverse direction. At peak times delays reach almost four minutes per ten miles.
Nick Skellett, the chairman of the South East England Regional Transport Board, said: "The board is aware of the problems on the A23 and A27 and that is why we have identified the need to invest regional money in solutions that address these problems."
As a result of the board'sadvice about 18 months ago the A27 Chichester Bypass scheme was given a start date of 2014/5.
It was indicated the Arundel Bypass scheme could begin soon after 2016. But the A27 Worthing and Lancing improvements did not feature at all.
However the board is now refreshing its advice and moving the programme forward two years to 2018.
Those schemes already submitted under the 2016 programme, such as Chichester's £137m improvements due for 2014/5, will have to be resubmitted although it is unlikely they will be dropped.
The rethink allows the possibility of securing a place in the programme for schemes such as Arundel Bypass and and Worthing and Lancing improvements - which are being pushed forward by West Sussex County Council.
The A27 is busier than the southern stretch of the M1.
The A23 is rated as carrying moderate levels of traffic, compared to the A27's high level. The A23 and M23 experience average delays of 15 seconds per ten miles.
A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said: "It comes as no surprise to learn that the A27 is one of Britain's most congested roads. The county council has been fighting over the years for enough money to fund improvements to this road.
"There are of course additional concerns that if an eco-town is built at Ford, this will place additional pressures not only on the A27 but also on the infrastructure of the entire area, unless the Government recognises the need for more financial support."
A spokesman for East Sussex County Council added: "We have long been calling for key sections of the A27 to be duelled - not only to minimise congestion but also to improve safety."
If the board supports the Arundel Bypass the next step would be a public consultation which the Highways Agency would move forwards as soon as possible.
A draft transport strategy for Worthing will be available in the first part of 2009 as a result of collaborative work between local authorities and the Highways Agency.
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