Future bleak for A27 congestion

That was the warning given at a meeting of the county council’s strategic environmental services select committee, where renewed calls were made for desp-erately needed improvements to be implemented as soon as possible by the government.

County councillors were told that many of the public comments received in response to consultation on a new West Sussex transport plan for 2011-2016, now being prepared and due to be in place by April next year, referred to the need for A27 improvements at Arundel, Chichester and Worthing.

Councillor Christina Coleman said people were delighted that the government had announced plans for the Chichester section of the road, although these would not be implemented until after 2015, which was a long time ahead.

“I would like to think we should continue to press throughout the transport plan document for the whole of the A27 to be improved, particularly at Arundel,” she added.

A lot of development was coming, not only along the A27 but along link roads going into it, such as the A259.

“It is critical that we get the plan into place and that the government takes note of the increased pressure on highways and on the A27,” she declared.

“I know we are looking at the whole of West Sussex, but the increase in housing, other building, and schools will put so much more pressure on this part of the county – where it is already unsustainable.

“We should press and press and press for improvements, particularly for the A27.”

Lionel Barnard, deputy leader of the county council, who has reponsibility for highways and transport, said the A27 got at least four mentions in the transport plan – it was very important.

He stressed the need to see the transport plan’s role within the local economic partnership, and the need to drive forward a wide range of initiatives. The transport plan would do this. “It shows up the aims of the county, rather than specific road schemes,” he added.

The select committee was told the other most common comments, received in response to the consultation on the plan, included the need for cycling improvements across West Sussex, and requests for 20mph limits in residential areas.