A toll tunnel under Worthing has been called for to get traffic moving on a heavily congested trunk road.

Alistair Smith, chairman of the West Sussex Economic Partnership, wants to see traffic diverted underground to relieve pressure on the A27.

He said a tunnel should be seriously considered as a means of solving the town's traffic problems.

He said: "Tunnelling is expensive but if the cost could be offset by a toll, then it could be a realistic proposition. "Tolls are becoming more widely accepted by motorists, especially if it means they can avoid congestion."

"If through traffic, especially the heavy lorries, were to be diverted, local roads would become freer for local users, countering fears of any unfair burden on the local community."

Mr Smith's plea follows plans for a nationwide road-user charging scheme announced by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling in which motorists might pay up to £1.34 per mile.

Mr Darling said doing nothing to ease congestion would "condemn future generations to endless delays and increasing environmental damage."

Proposals to improve the Chichester bypass were agreed by Mr Darling last month but a list of other improvement schemes forwarded by Sussex business leaders in last year's South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study were snubbed.

Research earlier this year revealed problems with the transport infrastructure had cost Sussex businesses £29,000 each in the past year.

Mr Smith said: "It s very encouraging to hear that there should be progress at last on one of the A27 congestion blackspots.

"Work cannot start too soon for the businesses on the West Sussex coastal strip.

"But the fight must go on. There appear to be potential solutions for Arundel but the Worthing issue still seems to be insuperable."

Worthing Chamber of Commerce vice-president Harriet Bisley said: "I think anything that eases congestion on the A27 would be a boon for the area.

"I am not sure Worthing is the worst area, though. I think Arundel has bigger problems."

Mark Froud, chief executive of Sussex Enterprise, said: "Sussex Enterprise fully supports the option of a toll tunnel to alleviate traffic congestion around Worthing."

Thursday July 22, 2004