A27 improvement summit planned

The meeting, which will be chaired by Arundel and South Down MP Nick Herbert, will have two key aims:

One: To examine new funding sources now available from both the public and private sector.

Two: Prepare a case for improvements to coincide with the Government’s review of its Strategic Road Network.

The meeting, which is being held on Friday May 27 at Arun District Council offices, Littlehampton, between 1pm-2.30pm, will be attended by representatives of:

West Sussex County Council.

Horsham District Council.

Arun District Council.

Arundel Town Council.

Sussex Enterprise.

Earlier this year, Mike Penning, Under Secretary of State for Transport, was driven along the road so he could see for himself the problem areas at Worthing, Arundel and Chichester.

He was accompanied by West Sussex County Council Deputy Leader Lionel Barnard, who is responsible for Highways and Transport.

This was followed by a delegation of MPs, local council members and business representatives meeting Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport, in Westminster.

Mr Barnard said: “At both meetings, we highlighted the negative effect transport problems on the A27 were having on the county’s economy and how it is impacting on local businesses.

“The Department for Transport said in October last year it would continue working on plans for an A27 Chichester Bypass with the aim of starting construction after 2015.

“But there are real problems being experienced in other stretches of this road – particularly at Arundel and Worthing – which is why we are holding this summit.

“It underlines our determination to keep up the pressure on Government so we can work together on the best way forward.”