Top businessmen have told the Government Worthing could become a no-go zone due to traffic chaos on the A27.

A delegation of politicians and company bosses issued the warning at a crisis meeting with Transport minister Tony McNulty.

But even if the Government supports plans for a bypass or tunnelling, it will be at least 2012 before any new road is built to take the pressure off the town.

Councillor Geraldine Lissenburg, a member of Worthing Borough Council's ruling Liberal Democrats group, said: "It is soul-destroying really."

She told Mr McNulty that since 1994, the number of vehicles using the A27 every day had risen from 38,000 to 47,000 and life was becoming intolerable for people living in Offington and Broadwater, which had become giant rat runs.

Coun Lissenburg said: "It is getting so terrible that the town is becoming a no-go area and we have got to have some relief.

"Worthing is the only town on the coast between Honiton and Folkestone that doesn't have a bypass and small improvements aren't going to help the situation."

The delegation went to the House of Commons after the Government announced major improvements to the A27 would not take place in the foreseeable future.

Mr McNulty met East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, West Worthing MP Peter Bottomley, leader of the borough council Sheryl Grady and councillors from both Worthing and Adur.

They were joined by leading employers Geoff Edwards, managing director of B and W Loudspeakers, and David Hooker, of Norwich Union, both based in Worthing.

Councillor Grady said: "We explained to the minister the significant problems for businesses located within Worthing and Lancing caused by traffic congestion on the A27.

"The Highways Agency is investigating possible methods of alleviating the problem and it is hoped a further meeting with the minister will take place early in the new year."

Thursday October 23, 2003