ROAD users are being advised to plan their journeys ahead of a potential closure on the A27.

The A27 Portfield scheme is set to begin its works at Oving junction, Chichester, on Monday, January 31, pending legal sign-off.

The work aims to improve capacity on the A27 by reducing delays for through traffic along the Chichester bypass.

A spokesman for the scheme said it is set to last for around 14 weeks.

Diversion routes will be place for drivers travelling via the Oving junction and Longacres Way, Drayton Lane and Bognor Road.

Pedestrian traffic lights will largely be in operation throughout the works, which will also include temporary lights.

The Oving junction work will directly follow the completion of the junction between Shopwhyke Road and Longacres Way in Chichester, which will allow traffic to access the A27 via the new spine roads.

These infrastructure upgrades are part of the wider A27 Portfield scheme, which includes works to the Chichester bypass, Westhampnett bypass, Portfield Way, Shopwhyke Road and Oving Road.

The work forms part of the planning permission for the Shopwyke Lakes development, which could see more than 500 new homes and community facilities built on the site.

A spokesman for the A27 Portfield scheme said: “We will now be commencing with the roadworks at Oving junction, which is a pinnacle of the A27 Portfield project. Once complete, these works will significantly improve the flow of traffic through the junction by removing multiple phases of the traffic lights.

“We anticipate that the works at Oving junction will take approximately 14 weeks to complete to its final arrangement and apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time.”

The A27 Portfield scheme will also be installing a footbridge connecting Shopwyke Lakes to the town centre and Portfield Retail Park.

Work on the scheme began in May 2019 and is set to end in the autumn.

For more information and regular updates on the A27 Portfield scheme, visit www.a27portfield.co.uk.

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