A campaign to widen the main trunk road between Worthing and Chichester has been backed by almost 100 businesses.

The West Sussex Economic Partnership (WSEP) wants improvements to the road, which becomes heavily congested during peak hours.

Bottlenecks at Worthing, Arundel and Chichester cause misery for commuters and, according to WSEP, badly affect business in coastal towns.

Previous attempts to improve the A27 have floundered.

Recommendations resulting from last year's South Coast Multi-Modal Study were rejected by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

They included a bypass at Arundel, new tunnels at Worthing and Lancing and a new railway station at Littlehampton.

Now the Government has asked the Highways Agency and West Sussex County Council to prepare fresh proposals to solve the problem.

WSEP chief executive Alistair Smith said: "This is by far the highest response we have received on any issue.

"It's not anger, it's not frustration, it's desperation that Government will not act. Inaction is just not an option."

In a letter to the Highways Agency, WSEP's chairman Dr Norman Boyland said poor access to coastal towns was making it hard to retain and attract business.

He said continual lack of progress was having a demoralising effect on business, discouraging firms from investing in the area, and meant the economy was relying on low-skill jobs.

Earlier this month the RAC Foundation told the British Chambers of Commerce conference poor road infrastructure was "crippling commerce".

That followed a chamber survey which showed 76 per cent of businesses reported increased operating costs as a result of transport failings.

Thakeham mushroom grower Heveco, one of the 100 firms backing calls for action, said congestion had a direct impact on business.

Director Mark Howarth said: "We follow environmental guidelines by putting on minibuses for our workers but often they get snarled up at Worthing so groups turn up late."

Thursday April 29, 2004