Sussex is being ignored by the Government says the county's leading business support organisation.

The claim follows a series of Government decisions that Sussex Enterprise claimed were stifling economic growth.

The statement comes just weeks before regional government decides whether it backs proposals for transport improvements along the South Coast.

Mark Froud, chief executive of Sussex Enterprise, said the time had now come to ask what the Government had got against Sussex.

He added: "We were denied the Hastings bypass and so far we have been denied a debate about a second runway at Gatwick.

"Now is the time for the Government to make amends and quickly give us the investment into the transport system that Sussex so desperately needs."

The consultation period for the South Coast Multi Modal Study is coming to a close and members of the South East Regional Assembly meet on November 20 to put forward their recommendations to ministers.

The proposals in the study include a new bypass at Arundel, a new link road between Bexhill and Hastings and a transport interchange north of Brighton as well as significant improvements to the railways and bus services.

Mr Froud said: "We are urging local politicians to support the £1.1 billion investment package outlined in the study.

"The Government must set out a specific timetable for when these transport improvements will happen without getting bogged down with further consultation.

"We have already had a verbal commitment from local authorities in Sussex that they will back the proposals. Let's hope and see what happens."