Progress on A27 work

That was the view of Cllr Tex Pemberton, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, following talks with roads minister Tom Harris.

A27 improvements at Chichester, Arundel and Worthing were all on the agenda for the meeting, which was also attended by Nick Herbert, MP for Arundel and South Downs, and representatives of the Highways Agency.

Cllr Pemberton said afterwards: "The minister was well aware of the issues of congestion, pollution and accidents that we face on the A27 and A24, and I do believe that we are much closer to some realistic solutions."

Among the issues discussed were the proposed A27 Chichester bypass improvements and a Stockbridge relief road. These remained in the 2011-2016 roads programme, and further work to develop the scheme was continuing. A preferred route for the relief road could be consulted on later this year.

He added: "The minister asked me to get the continuing support of the Regional Transport Board for this scheme, and for the cost increases which mean the scheme could now cost 192m compared with 137m.

"The scheme is still very much a part of the 2011-2016 programme."

The minister told the Highways Agency he wanted to see its report on new options for an A27 Arundel bypass by the spring, and the continuing support of the Regional Transport Board, so that proposals could be prepared for a public consultation. He emphasised to the Highways Agency that he did not want delay.

"I stressed to the minister that we want to make real progress on a new route so that if any projects slip out of the 2011-2016 programme, we can make the case for Arundel to move up the ladder," said Cllr Pemberton.

Mr Herbert said: "It's still a long way off, but we are making progress towards the much-needed Arundel bypass. I stressed to the Minister the strong environmental case to prevent traffic going through the town, the Downs and our villages, the economic case for a better road and the issues relating to our hospitals. We got a very fair hearing and I was impressed that the minister indicated that he wanted the process pushed on."

On the A27 Worthing-Lancing section, the minister asked the Highways Agency and West Sussex County Council to start work in the 2008/09 financial year on drawing up options for improvements.

Improvements to the A24 were also discussed during the meeting.

Summing up, Cllr Pemberton said: "Improving the A27 and the A24 are an absolute priority for West Sussex County Council.

"The congestion on the A27 is hampering business growth, pollution is affecting our communities and the traffic diverting through rural areas is also causing serious problems.

"We have moved much closer to getting work started at Chichester, and have made progress on new proposals for both Arundel and between Worthing and Lancing.

"The county council has carried out a great deal of work on the A24 to reduce accidents, and I stressed to the minister that both schemes for this road are safety led and badly needed."