Another morning of traffic chaos has been reported across Chichester.

Gas works on Chichester’s Stockbridge Road remain on schedule, with engineers trying to finish sooner, a councillor has said – as traffic disruption continued on Tuesday, November 3.

West Sussex county councillor Izabela Mayne said no earlier completion date had been confirmed for the work, which has closed the A286 between the A27 roundabout and Grosvenor Road until November 27.

“SGN says the gas main replacement is progressing well and remains on schedule,” she said.

West Sussex county councillor Izabela Mayne said no earlier completion date had been confirmed for the Stockbridge Road work, which has closed the A286 between the A27 roundabout and Grosvenor Road until November 27.

placeholder image — West Sussex county councillor Izabela Mayne said no earlier completion date had been confirmed for the Stockbridge Road work, which has closed the A286 between the A27 roundabout and Grosvenor Road until November 27.

"Their engineers are doing what they can to finish sooner, although no earlier completion date has been confirmed.”

Drivers faced further lengthy queues on Tuesday morning, with AA Traffic News notices reporting increasing delays of 19 minutes on northbound Street End Road towards Whyke Roundabout. Traffic between the B2145 Selsey Road and the A27 was averaging ten mph.

There were also increasing eight-minute delays on the westbound A27 approaching Whyke Roundabout and seven-minute delays eastbound between Emsworth Services and Fishbourne Roundabout.

Further east, traffic between Bognor Road Roundabout and Portfield Way was averaging five mph, with delays of around three minutes.

The Stockbridge Road closure began on October 10 to allow SGN to replace ageing metal gas mains with plastic pipes. A diversion is in place via Sidlesham and Hunston, while local businesses have reported a severe impact.

Sharing an update following talks with SGN, West Sussex County Council and other organisations, councillor Mayne said: “It’s been a hectic few days, so apologies that I’m only now sharing an update following Thursday’s weekly meeting with SGN, WSCC and the other organisations involved.”

She also sought to clarify arrangements for the next phase of work on Birdham Road, following ‘some confusion’ from a national media report.

"SGN has confirmed that the next phase of work on Birdham Road will be carried out under temporary traffic lights,” she said.

"The full road closure will not move down Birdham Road.”

The councillor confirmed that the B2201 had reopened following a separate disruption, allowing Stagecoach’s 52 and 53 services to resume. The buses remain diverted around the Stockbridge Road closure via the A27, Hunston and Donnington, with stops on Grosvenor Road suspended.

Ms Mayne added: “I know how difficult those few days were, with both main routes affected, and how much disruption this caused residents and local businesses.”

Addressing questions about why Stockbridge Road could not have been temporarily reopened, Ms Mayne explained that doing so would have prolonged the gas works.

“For anyone wondering why Stockbridge Road couldn’t simply be reopened during the emergency, SGN explained that filling the deep excavations and making the road safe for traffic would have taken around 48 hours. This would also have added about a week to the gas works.

“I’ll continue to raise your concerns at our weekly meetings and share updates here. Thank you to everyone who has been in touch.”