Council leaders are to challenge the Government over its decision to ditch a series of jam-busting road schemes in West Sussex.

Campaigners say efforts to tackle serious congestion problems in Worthing and Arundel were set back a decade by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling yesterday.

The South Coast Multi-Modal Study had recommended the Government alleviate A27 traffic jams at Chichester and Arundel with bypasses and built tunnels under congestion hot spots in Worthing and Lancing.

But because of environmental concerns the plans were not included in a programme of national road building projects announced by Mr Darling.

Arun District Council leader Norman Dingemans said the Government would be pressed to reverse the controversial decision.

And as mile-long queues built up along the A27 yesterday afternoon, many were shocked and angry by the minister's stance Although protesters had set up camp in trees at Tortington Common, near Arundel, ready to disrupt any road building, Arun had backed the proposals for an Arundel bypass, believing it was crucial to enhancing its status as a gateway to the South Downs.

Councillor Dingemans said: "I think it's a disastrous decision which will have a serious impact on the economic regeneration of the district.

"I hope the Government will reconsider and Arun District Council will certainly be pressing for them to do so."

Worthing Borough Council's opposition leader Steven Waite said traffic tunnels would have been "an acceptable solution for all parties" and he said Worthing was continually neglected by central government.

Coun Waite said: "Coming back yesterday from Arundel and trying to get through the heavy traffic demonstrated the need for a bypass. It is sad the Government has not appreciated that.

"Worthing has continually been left out of the Government's initiatives with funds being directed away from the South to the North.

"Around rush hour, traffic along the A27 is at a standstill. It's quite clear the Government has ignored the facts.

"Worthing is the major bottleneck on the A27 and this simply shows the decision not to help was based on politics and not on the needs of the country."

Howard Flight, Tory MP for Arundel and South Downs, said: "The stretch of the A27 through Arundel is one of the worst congestion spots in the South of England.

"The bridge over the Arun running up to the Ford roundabout is a notorious blackspot. The bridge over the railway was constructed for light horsedrawn traffic and is inadequate for the volume and weight of vehicles it now has to bear.

"I was gobsmacked at the announcement not to proceed with the Arundel bypass because it would have 'negative impacts on heritage and landscape as well as the water environment'.

"The worsening congestion has a major negative environmental impact as well as causing citizens and businesses major inconvenience, with the loss of millions of hours of productive time."

Colin Gregg, of the East Worthing Action Group, said: "I think it's very short-sighted of the Government. Something is desperately needed here. Every time we have a bit of bad weather or an accident Worthing comes to a standstill.

"I think it's a very bad day for Worthing and the businesses in the surrounding area."