A27 bypass consultation launched
Updated proposals for the A27 Arundel Bypass plans have been unveiled this week as developers begin a two-month consultation with the public.
NationalHighways’plansfor upgrading the A27 at Arundel will feature a combination of improvements along the existing road through the South Downs National Park and Arundel.
The grey route features new bridges spanning the River Arun, over the Arun Valley Railway and over Binsted Rife, as well as a new junction at Crossbush, ‘finally putting an end’ to the ‘road to nowhere’ junction.
Under the plans, around 8km (4.9 miles) of new dual carriageway will be created to the south of the existing A27, from Crossbush to Fontwell roundabout. Around 6.6km (4.1 miles) of the existing A27 will be ‘de-trunked’.
The A27 connects many coastal communities and serves a combined population of more than one million people.
“It is essential to those who live and work in the area,” a National Highways spokesperson said. “The plans will help improve journeys for tens of thousands of drivers using the A27 around Arundel, the only section of single carriageway between Worthing and the New Forest.
“The plans will also protect Arundel’s historic town centre and draw long distance traffic away from other, less suitable roads through the South Downs National Park.”
The grey route, which was chosen in October 2020, includes creating a new dual carriageway to join up the two existing sections either side of Arundel and will help to reduce journey times, improve reliability and make the road safer.
Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel South Downs, has said ‘there is more to do’ but has offered his support in the hope the bypass will eliminate long-standing delays at the Crossbush Junction, and draw long distance traffic away from other less suitable roads.
It has long been hoped that such road improvements could ease the pressure caused by rat-runners cutting through villages including Storrington.
Mr Griffith said: “The time has now come for residents across West Sussex to have their say on the long-awaited improvements to the A27 at Arundel.
“The project, which has been discussed for decades, will relieve the congestion and pollution that many experience on a daily basis.
“The project will also have a genuinely positive impact on the whole of West Sussex. It represents a substantial investment by the Government in West Sussex and I hope it will have a positive impact on the lives of residents and the local economy.
“I will continue to work closely with the communities most affected to secure appropriate mitigation measures. There is more to do, but I am pleased with the progress made already on
road noise and in reducing the visual impact on the Binsted Rife Valley.”
The project has faced strong opposition, with campaigners claiming that the multimillion pound project would be ‘environmentally damaging’.
They added that National Highways ‘plans to carve out
the historic countryside’ for its eight-kilometre dual carriageway scheme’.
Other people have shared the view that ‘something needs to be done’ and ‘we do need to have a bypass’.
Support group, One Arundel, has argued that ‘there’s no such thing as a perfect situation’.
Details on the proposals, document inspection locations and feedback forms will be available until the consultation ends on March 8 at a27arundelbypass. consultation.ai/