BUSINESS leaders have backed plans for a controversial bypass through a village.

Coastal West Sussex Partnership, made up of businesses and councils, has backed the “magenta” route for the planned A27 Arundel Bypass.

If the road went ahead, seven kilometres of new dual carriageway would be built between Arundel and Chichester, including a bridge over Binsted village.

Partnership chairman Henry Powell said a new bypass would increase businesses and employment opportunities in the area.

“It is clear from our findings that the A27 has a very real economic impact,” he said.

“It is important to 90 per cent of local businesses, yet over a quarter of business owners are trying to avoid it every single day, which shows the absurdity of the situation.”

A survey commissioned by the partnership claimed employers in the region expect an eight per cent increase in turnover if the A27 is improved.

Two thirds of deliveries are hampered by traffic on the road, the survey claimed.

Almost 90 per cent of business owners said their travel was disrupted when congestion appears.