UPDATE: Commuters face A27 delays after Shoreham Airshow crash

DM156620a.jpg Shoreham Airshow 2015. Visitors unable to leave the airfield following the crash. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150822-184341008

The A27 – between the A2025 Grinstead Lane and the A293, near West Hove Golf Club – is closed following Saturday’s devastating airshow crash.

Traffic diverting along the A259 seafront road is now queuing all the way back to Worthing town centre and is solid to Shoreham going eastbound.

Traffic through Findon and on the A24 in both directions is also slow.

Diversions are in place, with the road expected to be closed until at least Wednesday.

Highways England is busy repairing the damaged road surface and emergency services are continuing the recovery mission, after the military jet hit several cars on the busy A27 at 1.20pm on Saturday.

A crane will remove the wreckage of the aircraft today.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “A police and Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) investigation is being carried out at the scene. Following this Highways England will need to carry out repairs to the damaged road. Drivers will be advised once it is safe to reopen the road.”

Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

Where they cannot, those travelling westbound are advised to exit the A27 before the closure at the A283 junction and join the A283 north towards Washington, join the A24 south and re-join the A27 following the hollow black triangle symbol.

Highways England advise leaving extra time for journeys in anticipation of the delays.

Bus services have also been affected by the A27 closure.

A spokesman for Stagecoach Bus said there is significant service disruption in the Worthing/Brighton area.

He said: “We encourage our customers to check our website www.stagecoachbus.com/south for service updates, and to follow our twitter feed for real time updates and progress reports @stagecoachsouth.

“Southern railway will accept our customer’s bus tickets on services between Worthing and Brighton until further notice. We have also placed additional buses on all routes to help reduce journey times.

“Customers can also contact put customer services team on 0345 121 0190 who are happy to help.”