Adur and Worthing leaders welcome Transport Secretary’s pledge to look again at A27 options

The leaders of both Adur District and Worthing Borough Councils today welcomed the news that the Transport Secretary would look again in full at options to upgrade the A27 through Worthing and Lancing.

Both local authorities have been leading the way in standing up for residents and criticising Highways England’s single option to improve the road.

Last month, both leaders wrote to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling with their concerns calling for him to visit the area in a bid to find a long-term solution to reduce congestion on the six mile stretch through Worthing and Lancing.

With additional pressure from the area’s MPs, Mr Grayling has now said he wants to see all of the options on the table before Highways England make an announcement on their recommended way forward.

In a joint statement, Councillor Neil Parkin, leader of Adur District Council, and Councillor Dan Humphreys, leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “While we are still waiting to hear back personally from the transport secretary, we welcome this initial statement.

“The plans presented by Highways England were derisory and in no way would improve any aspect of life across our areas.

“We hope this is a signal of intent that Mr Grayling is to look again at all options and urge him to allocate appropriate funds to deliver a long-term and lasting solution.

“We also want to reiterate our invitation for the secretary and his team to visit the area so Mr Grayling can fully understand the day-to-day problems first-hand.”

The comments from My Grayling came in a letter addressed to Tim Loughton and Sir Peter Bottomley, the area’s two MPs.

Within it, Mr Grayling said: “It would appear the current scheme does not have the support of the local council, business or community, as they want a better scheme for their area.”

He added that Highways England were due to make an announcement on the preferred route in the coming months, adding “prior to this, I will instruct them to provide me with a review of the viable alternative options...which includes grade separation”.

Mr Grayling did admit that for any alternative to be considered, it would “have to compete against other scheme priorities at that time”.