Government's pledge to tackle A27 congestion

A blitz to tackle congestion on a major Sussex road is being unveiled this week.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will announce a series of improvements aimed at tackling delays, jams and bottlenecks on the A27 between Chichester and Lancing.

The 30 mile stretch of road is one of 23 in Britain that have been earmarked by the Government as having major problems and which are in most need of change to ease constant gridlock.

Mr Prescott is expected on Thursday to announce a £100 billion ten-year initiative to deal with all 23 roads.

A team of expert jam-busters will be sent to Sussex to work with local authorities and interest groups to find the best way to tackle the problems affecting the busy A27, which stretches along the Sussex coast to Eastbourne.

Experts will be looking at whether traffic light systems can be improved, clearer signs installed or junctions altered and whether variable speed limits could be introduced to improve traffic flow.

They will also try to persuade drivers to leave their cars at home by boosting local public transport.

A new overhead electronic hold-up warning system is also expected to be introduced.

Other areas being considered include road-widening schemes and bypasses.

Campaigners fighting for improvements to the A27 today welcomed the news and said they hoped the proposed A27 bypass for Worthing, scrapped in 1996, would now be brought back on to the agenda.

Business leaders in Worthing, the town most affected in West Sussex by constant congestion and delays, have also welcomed the news.

Sussex Enterprise area spokesman Jim Christy said traffic jams coming into Worthing from the A27 are costing traders tens of millions of pounds every year.

A recent survey carried out by Sussex Enterprise showed traders in Worthing were losing out because of the problem.

Trade is being affected because employees are spending too much time stuck in traffic jams when they could be on their way to meetings or deliveries.

Regular tailbacks occur at Lancing roundabout and the West Worthing stretch of the A27.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "We will be delighted if we are given extra funding to tackle the situation."