A £9 million package to ease traffic congestion on the A27 in Worthing and Lancing was unveiled today.

A Government minister said he hoped a series of schemes for the stretch of trunk road would bring real benefits.

Transport Minister David Jamieson said the measures could be introduced quickly.

The measures are all short-term and will be carried out in advance of a major study into the future of the road network, known as the South Coast Modal Study.

The package includes improvements to key roundabouts on the A27.

The £9 million will also pay for improvements to bus services and railway stations to make public transport a more attractive alternative to the car.

Traffic calming measures will be introduced on routes currently being used as rat-runs by drivers dodging congestion on the A27.

The package was drawn up by a leading firm of highway consultants and has been welcomed by West Sussex County Council.

Mr Jamieson said: "I hope the proposal can now be implemented quickly. The short-term measures should provide real benefits to travellers and can be provided without the need for planning permission or compulsory purchase."

The improvements to the A27 corridor between Worthing and Lancing follow several years of pressure for action after plans for a Worthing bypass were scrapped.