Future of A27 is discussed
The A27 at Chichester was one of the major topics discussed by a community conference last week, with an update from Highways England.
Public information events to gather views on A27 improvements at Chichester will be held this autumn, Highways England has confirmed.
Funding for the scheme was pulled by Chris Grayling in 2017, while two options worked up by the Build a Better A27 group were rejected in late 2018.
However in last year’s Budget, funding was made available by the Chancellor to develop potential schemes for Chichester.
A Chichester Community Conference, organised by MP Gillian Keegan and held virtually on Friday, heard an update on plans to improve the A27 from Nicola Bell, a divisional director at Highways England.
She outlined how a new project team had been set up to establish options.
Although no funding is currently allocated, the A27 at Chichester is in the pipeline of possible future schemes.
Ms Bell said: “A pipeline is exactly that in terms of presenting anything that may be built. It’s not a guarantee something will be built.”
She was aware of the strength of feeling on the subject and said they would be focusing on good communication with plenty of opportunities for people to be part of the process.”
The first public information events are due to take place in the autumn.
She added: “It’s really important communities get together and try to agree on what is a good beneficial scheme that can be delivered and make a difference to the people of Chichester.”
Susan Taylor, cabinet member for planning at Chichester District Council, explained the difference between any upgrades of the A27 which could be delivered by Highways England and changes required to mitigate extra housing, which is what studies being carried out as part of the local plan review are looking at.
While she said the evidence ‘would indicate’ a Stockbridge Link Road is needed, no decisions have been made, with further work due to be carried out on feasibility, costs and finance.
The conference also discussed Chichester Harbour, development and climate change.