CAMPAIGN: A27 pothole repair calls

That is the urgent call from this newspaper, which has today teamed up with sister daily title The News, Portsmouth, to campaign for prompt action along the Chichester to Havant stretch of the vital road.

The campaign follows numerous letters of concern, which in one case saw a father and his disabled wife and son narrowly avoid a serious collision after a tyre on their trailer burst when it hit a large pothole.

West Sussex County Council leader Louise Goldsmith has already backed the call.

She said: “I know from personal experience that this stretch of road is in need of attention so I really welcome this campaign.

“I’ve driven this stretch of the A27 many times myself and I know a lot of West Sussex residents commute along it daily and have to endure these conditions.”

Earlier this month, Ian Collyer, 56, of Bracklesham was travelling with his family on the A27 between Emsworth and Chichester, about half-a-mile from the Emsworth service station on the eastbound carriageway, when he hit a large pothole in the road.

It caused the tyre on his trailer to blow and the procession to swerve across the carriageway.

He said: “It put the fear of God in my wife and son, who are both disabled and were left completely shocked.

“I didn’t get an apology from the Highways Agency - there was just a complete lack of compassion, it’s totally unacceptable.”

Following the story, motorists flooded the Observer Facebook page with similar complaints.

One man got in contact to say his son had counted more than 30 potholes on the eastbound stretch of the A27 and there were more than 70 on his westbound return home.

Martin Humphreys added: “The holes in the A27 are dangerous. They have the potential to unbalance or throw a motorcycle off course, and they will cause tyre or suspension damage to a car, resulting in an accident.”

In response to the campaign, a Highways England spokesman said: “The A27 is a vital route and we want to keep journeys on it safe and reliable. That’s why we’ve allocated more than £4.5 million over the next three years to fully repair this section of the A27.

“We are currently designing the work with a view to carrying it out as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, we will continue to keep the A27 in a safe and serviceable condition, and any defects that pose a threat to safety will continue to be fixed within 24 hours. If anyone has concerns they can call us or email us 24 hours a day.”

WSCC cabinet member for highways and transport John O’Brien has written to the agency calling for the timetable to be brought forward.

Do you think the A27 needs more urgent work? Contact us with your views on 01243 531313 or email [email protected]

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