Prime Minister signals A27 in line for upgrade in next month’s Autumn Statement

Date: 10 November 2014

David Cameron has given the strongest indication yet that major improvements to the A27 will go ahead.
Written material from a speech he gave to the Confederation of British Industry on Monday revealed the A27 was in line for Government funding, as part of a £15bn package to revolutionise England’s roads.

The news pre-empts Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement on Wednesday 3 December 2014, when further details will be officially announced.
The A27 Action Campaign, made up of councils, business leaders and local MPs, has spent several months lobbying the Government to commit to solving the notorious congestion that affects the road.


It has called for dual carriageway across West Sussex, an Arundel bypass, better junctions at Chichester, Fontwell and Brighton, improvements along the Worthing to Lancing corridor, and improved A27/A26 access to Newhaven.

A business case, demonstrating how problems with the A27 affect the local economy and prevent growth, was handed to the Government earlier this autumn.
West Sussex County Council’s Leader, Louise Goldsmith, said: “We have had a strong campaign, supported by many people, about dualling the A27 from east to west.
“It certainly looks like David Cameron has acknowledged the effort and the case we have put in, although we still don’t know the detail yet.
“We are waiting for more information in the Autumn Statement on December 3, and we will be continuing to campaign right up until that day.”
She added the campaign was pushing for an “end to end solution” from east to west.
Anything less would hinder economic growth and would continue to cause problems with rat runs through smaller villages.

Louise said: “There are two important areas. There is obviously the Arundel bypass and then the dualling right the way through Worthing.
“This would make a substantial difference – not only to people using the A27 but to the surrounding villages.
“There is an awful lot of rat running going through these areas – so these improvements would benefit so many people.”
For more information visit the A27 Action website or click ‘like’ on the A27 Action page on Facebook.