Countdown to gridlock - traders fight back

Many businesses will be offering discounts on goods and incentives to encourage people to visit the town and send the message that Arundel is still open for business.

In a letter to the Highways Agency, county, district and Littlehampton town councillor James Walsh condemned the bridge closure scheme, saying: "Never in 33 years in local government have I come across such a crackpot idea as this.

"Your deskbound planners clearly have no idea of the spectacular congestion and likely total gridlock that this will lead to."

Cllr Walsh added: "The effect on already precarious trading conditions in Littlehampton and Arundel may well be fatal to some businesses."

The first closure for maintenance work is due to go ahead this weekend and traders have anticipated a significant drop in footfall and profits.

The closures will be in place from 8pm on Friday to 6am on Monday across a total of five weekends.

For the full story, see the West Sussex Gazette issue dated September 10.