Early bypass opening

And villagers will have an opportunity to try out the new road themselves a day before the traffic rumbles down it, by taking part in a sponsored fun run.

The early completion of the relief road has come as a surprise, especially as construction work was delayed last year by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

But contractors John Reilly Civil Engineering have made rapid progress and the bypass is now due to open on January 27, ahead of the July date given on signs beside the route.

John King, chairman of Angmering Parish Council, welcomed the news. "This is excellent, especially given the initial delay because of foot-and-mouth last year.

"I shall be very disappointed if the bypass is not of real benefit to the village. The amount of traffic, particularly heavy lorries, going through the village is making life very difficult for people, especially those living in Water Lane, and also in Station Road.

"The bypass, it is estimated, should cut traffic through the village by about 50 per cent."

Mr King said the parish council was still talking with West Sussex County Council about traffic calming measures in Angmering once the bypass was opened. As the new road was opening much earlier, he hoped traffic calming, for which 100,000 had been set aside, could also be brought forward.

Further details of the fun run, provisionally arranged for January 26, will be announced shortly. It will be in aid of the new community hall to be built in the Bramley Green housing development at Roundstone Lane.