THE Transport Secretary has confirmed alternative schemes to upgrade part of the A27 will be explored.

A single £69 million option to tweak six key junctions on the road between Worthing and Lancing was heavily criticised during a Highways England consultation, which ended last month.

MP for Worthing West Sir Peter Bottomley and MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tim Loughton recently met Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to discuss the A27 plans.

In a letter to both MPs, Mr Grayling said he had asked for a review of “viable alternative options”, also warning if more extensive plans were put forward, they would have to compete with other schemes for funding.

A joint statement from Sir Peter and Mr Loughton said: “This is very good news and we are delighted that Chris Grayling has listened to the very real concerns we heard from our constituents who have universally rejected the inadequate and underfunded single option.

“It is essential that Highways England is now permitted to look at the grade separation options which are referred to in the consultation document and new effective solutions can be put forward to local people next year.

“This is the only way that we stand any chance of achieving significant improvements to traffic flow on our stretch of the A27.”