Worthing & Adur Chamber supports the A27 Action Group

In December the Government announced that they are to proceed at last with significant improvements to the A27 and that at the very least the option of a full dualling of our stretch of this congested road between Lancing and the west of Worthing is on the table. This follows a lot of lobbying of Department of Transport ministers by our local Members of Parliament and some detailed studies carried out by a high-level stakeholder group reporting to the DfT and Highways Agency.

While substantial sums of money have been committed, many details have yet to be worked through and it is likely that final proposals will have to go out to a public inquiry. It is essential therefore that as far as possible Worthing and Adur can speak with a strong and unified voice to make sure that we get the most practical solution possible and avoid the localised squabbling between various interest groups which effectively scuppered the whole project when it was last considered in the mid-1990’s.

The A27 Action Group which was set up by the County Council to bring together local councillors, MPs and businesses in common cause has been instrumental in getting us to this stage and it is vital that we show this sort of discipline and unity locally.

To this end Tim Loughton and Sir Peter Bottomley have asked Tom Wye to set up a local A27 Action Group to try to bring as many different interest groups together round the table and see what we can be achieved.

Worthing and Adur Chamber will represent the Business community in this forum and will keep you up to date with any progress.