Groundwork for dualling of A259 is delayed by weeks
The groundwork for improvements to the A259 have been postponed, with West Sussex County Council saying it could be delayed for at least three weeks.
Single-carriageway sections of the busy A-road between Angmering and Littlehampton will be dualled, alongside other improvements, as part of a £14.8million scheme to reduce severe congestion.
Before the bulk of the works could start on the 2km stretch of road, several months of preparation were due to begin on Monday.
A spokesman for West Sussex Highways said vegetation clearance could be delayed for ‘a few weeks’ but would begin ‘as soon as possible’, ahead of the main construction works starting in mid to late 2019.
They said: “We hope the delay, due to the late arrival of key contract information, will be a matter of a few weeks and we will update residents and stakeholders as soon as possible.”
The county council said subject to factors such as severe weather, the clearance of vegetation and trees should take about four months.
This was essential so pipework and other utilities could be moved and protected as the road scheme progressed, the council said.
Clearance work will be between the Haskins garden centre roundabout and Station Road, Angmering, and the Body Shop roundabout and Highdown Drive in Littlehampton. Minimal traffic control should be needed, the spokesman said.
The first section of road widening will be from east of Wick roundabout to the Body Shop roundabout.
The second section will be from the Station Road roundabout in Angmering to the A280 roundabout.