The Leader of West Sussex County Council and the Chair of Transport for the South East (TfSE) have written jointly to the Secretary of State for Transport to raise their concerns following the government decision to cancel planned improvements to the A27 and off their support in working with the Government to find a solution to problems on the A27.
The open letter from Councillor Paul Marshall and Councillor Keith Glazier invites the Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP to see first-hand why the road is so important to our communities.
The A27 is a strategically important route that links towns and cities along the Sussex and Hampshire coast. It has long been considered sub-standard and unreliable, suffering specifically from congestion at Chichester, Arundel and Worthing, as well as to the east of Lewes.
The letter outlines the leaders’ concerns that the decision to cancel the A27 improvement schemes will further harm opportunities for growth across the Sussex region and impact on local businesses and trade in the region.
The A27’s ongoing congestion and safety issues have long been a priority for local businesses, who consistently cite improvements to the road as essential for boosting productivity and supporting housing development.
The letter outlines the leaders’ offer of support to the Secretary of State to find a solution for the A27, which ensures this corridor continues to support economic growth in Sussex and the South East.
Cllr Paul Marshall said: “Although the majority of the A27 issues are situated in West Sussex, the continued failure to tackle serious congestion at bottlenecks along the route has significant impacts across Sussex and the wider sub-region. Residents and businesses alike have been kept waiting for a solution for far too long.
“Previous schemes were considered by the government to not provide value for money, however the ongoing issues seen along the route will not go away without significant investment and development.
“As a council, we are committed to generating a sustainable and prosperous economy for West Sussex, which is why I’m urging the Secretary of State to look at alternative solutions that will provide a real and lasting improvement to the A27 corridor.”
Cllr Keith Glazier said: “The A27 is a key strategic route connecting people, businesses, and freight across the South East. The problems on the A27 still remain, which is why Transport for the South East would welcome the opportunity to work with the Secretary of State to develop a solution for the whole corridor.
Improvements to the A27 are central to delivering TfSE’s Transport Strategy and Strategic Investment Plan. By improving the A27, we can accelerate economic growth across the South East, better connect people to employment, healthcare, and leisure, and give communities healthier streets, with more opportunities for buses and active travel.”
Commentaires