Road protesters camped in Binsted woods in opposition to a new Arundel bypass will be delighted with the Transport Secretary's latest announcement.

Alistair will be their Darling after he scrapped the bypass scheme and several other improvements for the A27.

The decision means other sensitive areas near the South Downs will not be opened up for new roads, which would cause environmental damage and create noise.

But Mr Darling has not yet revealed how he intends to solve the pressing problem of east-west travel in Sussex when most major settlements are on the coast.

Generally, there are good links by road and rail between the major resorts and London.

But getting along the 80 miles of Sussex coast can be a nightmare with frequent traffic jams or changes from one slow train to another.

Improving the long-neglected Coastway railway lines so they provide a fast, comfortable and reliable public transport connection would be widely welcomed.

Mr Darling and councils with responsibilities for roads also need to work out what to do about the A27, which can hardly continue in its present state.

Road pricing is one option, which could include toll tunnels under the Downs at Worthing.

If the proposed improvements to sensitive sections were deemed too damaging, perhaps minor remedial measures would help to cut congestion.