A four-week consultation on design changes to a controversial scheme for a new bypass on the A27 has begun.

Proposals to add a bypass to the A27 at Arundel have been met with fierce local resistance over fears of significant damage to nearby villages and countryside.

National Highways was expected to submit its plans for the scheme - which is estimated to cost in the region of £320 million- to the planning inspectorate by the end of this year.

But further consultation began yesterday due to design changes.

A potential construction start date has been pushed back to summer 2024 to account for these changes.

National Highways said the four-week consultation - November 16 to December 16 - will give people the opportunity to have their say on the latest changes to the project that have been made following a detailed analysis of over 4,000 responses received during the last consultation held earlier this year.

Andrew Jackson, National Highways project lead, said: “Over the course of 2022 we have made changes to the scheme design – including reducing the impact of additional traffic through Walberton, and we’d now like to present those additional changes and gather feedback on them.

“During this consultation we will be presenting our revised design and seeking your feedback on the changes put forward. Once we have given everyone a chance to comment on the new proposals, we plan to submit our DCO application in Spring 2023.”

In addition to revised proposals at Walberton, National Highways will provide an update on plans for the Avisford Park Golf Course, a bat crossing at Tye Lane and new proposals for the Crossbush Junction.

People will also be able to give their views during events at the following locations: 

  • Arundel Town Hall, Saturday, December 3, 10am to 4pm
  • Fontwell Park Racecourse, Monday, December 5, 11am to 7pm  
  • Walberton Pavilion, Saturday, December 10, 10am to 4pm 

A National Highways spokesman said: “This won’t be the last opportunity for people to have their say.

“These proposals are still at a preliminary stage and communities and stakeholders will be able to view and comment on the plans following the submission of the DCO application in 2023 and during the examination stage.”