A major road project has soared in cost by more than £10 million

The scheme to build a fly-over across the Beddingham level crossing on the A27 between Lewes and Eastbourne was officially approved yesterday by transport minister Stephen Ladyman.

Campaigners have been lobbying for the improvements for more than ten years.

But supporters are startled by the project's new cost, which was previously set at £19 million at a public inquiry in 2005 but now figures closer to £32 million.

Jon Freeman, lead opposition member on transport at East Sussex County Council, said: "I'm amazed the price has gone up so much. Although the cost of materials is rising, this is a startling increase.

"It almost makes it sound as though they just thought of a figure for the inquiry and then added to it."

With construction due to start in mid-October, many are concerned how traffic will cope with the estimated two-year build.

David Rogers, leader of the Liberal Democrats at East Sussex County Council, said: "The scheme is generally welcomed. I don't think there is any argument about the congestion we suffer at the moment.

"My only fear is that nearby stretches of road which are already congested themselves, such as the road from Rodmill to Kingston, will suffer greatly during the construction."

A replacement for the level crossing, as well as improvements to two roundabouts and a widening of the road - to provide two lanes westbound and one eastbound between Southerham and Beddingham - has long been championed by various campaigners.

Lewes MP Norman Baker used to live in one of the historic homes that will be demolished to make way for the new bridge but he welcomed with the scheme.

However, Coun Freeman said he would be asking Mr Baker to table a question in the House of Commons demanding how the Highways Agency justified the new costs when the MP returns from his holiday.

Highways Agency officers said inflation in the construction industry, as well as environmental constraints, had led to the new evaluation, together with rising costs for earthworks and traffic management.

The agency said it provisionally hoped to keep traffic flowing through the construction site while the work was taking place.

Steven Goss-Turner, president of Eastbourne and District Chamber of Commerce, said: "Accidents and delays on the A27 have cost businesses thousands of pounds annually.

"The new bridge will remove these delays and considerably improve the east and west road network."

But Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson said the plans did not go far enough.

He said: "It makes enormous sense to separate road and rail at Beddingham, which is a notorious bottleneck. But spending £90 million on this will not solve the problems of the A27 and could just create a better bottleneck.

"What has always been needed is dualling along the A27.

"Otherwise this road will continue to be dangerous, slow, polluting and a drag on economic growth in our area."

The road is used by 30,000 vehicles every day and suffers long tailbacks at the level crossing.