Government makes decision on future of Worthing A27 improvement plans

The Worthing and Lancing A27 improvements scheme has now been included in the Department for Transport’s plans for the next five years: meaning the project remains on the table, despite being in limbo since 2018.

But it is not clear whether this means more money for the project – and more crucially, whether a bypass is therefore a possibility.

Jack Delbridge, chairman of the Bypass not A27 Throughpass group, said this was the time for the Government to pledge more money for the scheme. He said: “Unless there is more money available, nothing more can be done.”

Currently, Highways England has allocated £50 to £100million on improving the current A27 between Durrington Hill and Grinstead Lane in Lancing by adding more lanes, and traffic lights to several junctions.

But the scheme has been in limbo since 2018, when the public refused to back this, the only option put forward, despite 80 per cent of consultation respondents saying a scheme was needed.

In the latest Government budget, announced before the coronavirus outbreak, chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed £2.9billion would be spent on major road schemes in the South East.

When asked if this meant more money for a Worthing bypass, a spokesman for the treasury said ‘decisions about project funding would be announced in due course’.

Jack conceded that the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on the economy may affect the Government’s plans, but added: “We are convinced the only solution in the long term is a bypass.”

Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West, said: “I ask the Department for Transport and Highways England to bring a solution, and to recognise that for 60 years, Worthing and district has been suffering the penalties of inadequate roads and an inadequate approach to solving the problems.”

Highways England said it could not confirm specific funding arrangements for the scheme currently, but it was likely to be confirmed this summer once plans were finalised.

A spokesman said: “We remain committed to finding improvements for the A27 through Worthing and Lancing, and the project is included in the Government’s latest Road’s Investment Strategy, published in March. It is important that any upgrade gives good value for money and has broad support and we are continuing to work with the Department for Transport and our partners in Sussex to develop a package of enhancements that will deliver a wide range of benefits to the area.”