Councillors are calling on the Government to push forward fast with a £5m plan to beat gridlock on the A27 in Worthing and Lancing.

A study into the area's problems, published last month, recommends a package of measures including new road layouts, traffic calming and better public transport.

But the South East Regional Assembly - made up of councillors from across the region - says the plan will need Government assistance.

The assembly says West Sussex County Council doesn't have the cash for improvements to bus services which are important to the scheme's success.

Traffic levels along the route are expected to rise by 13 per cent in the next five years.

The study, which looked only at short-term improvements, was launched after plans for a Worthing-Lancing bypass were scrapped.

The consultants were asked to come up with a £5 million package of improvements which could be made within two years.

Their report was published last month and passed to the regional assembly to consider at its annual meeting in Woking, Surrey, yesterday.

Mike Gwilliam, the assembly's transport director, said: "We are politely asking ministers to get on with it. We don't see why we can't get moving as this is a fairly simple exercise."

Mr Gwilliam said the only hurdle could be the lack of funding available for improvements to bus services in the council's budget.

He said: "The plan includes a substantial amount of improvements to bus services which would be very welcome but West Sussex County Council is concerned it does not have the revenue."

SERA hopes the Government will reply to the recommendation in the next few weeks.

The short-term improvements will include traffic signals at the entry points to the two Worthing roundabouts on the A27 and at the Durrington Hill/Salvington junction.

There would pedestrian facilities to cross the A27 at major junctions and traffic calming in residential areas south of the road which are used as rat runs.

Also planned are new and improved bus services with priority at traffic signals, improved access to railway stations and measures to persuade companies to introduce car-free staff travel plans.