Go-ahead for £1.6m danger road bridge

Campaigners today celebrated winning their long-running battle for safety improvements on a notorious stretch of the A27.

Residents in Worthing and Lancing are delighted after the Highways Agency announced a new footbridge would be built.

It will cross the A27, linking the entrance of Boundstone Community College to the north side of the trunk road in Lancing.

Eleven children have died and many more have been seriously hurt on the road since 1984.

Victims include Scott Purdie, who was 13 when he died after his cycle collided with a van in February, 1997.

Lyn Gutierrez, 19, was killed when she was hit by a motorbike in December, 1993.

More than 500 protesters packed a public exhibition at the college last July to look at the options for improvements to the road.

Two footbridge options and two subway options were presented as part of the consultation process.

The majority favoured a footbridge for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists, which has got the go-ahead.

The cost of the scheme will be around £1.6million and it will take three years to build.

Sally Willson, Adur councillor and campaigner, said: "As a group we are really pleased that after such a long campaign we have got the decision we wanted.

"There have been a lot of accidents and people have been killed at the spot crossing the road. Many parents of children at the school will be really relieved when they hear news of the decision.

"We thought it was an important issue and so have campaigned hard for the footbridge. We are glad we have been successful."

Lord Whitty, of the Highways Agency, said: "Following public consultation last year, respondents made it clear that there is strong support for a pedestrian bridge in the area of Boundstone Community College.

"The favoured footbridge option, with ramps for easy access for pushchairs, wheelchairs and dismounted cyclists, will increase safety for all road users, provide an unhindered crossing of the A27 and reduce community severance.

"We are very aware of our responsibility to improve safety for all road users in a way which is consistent with an integrated transport policy."

Lord Whitty said: "With this in mind we are pleased that this crossing will contribute to the Lancing Transport Project by providing a safer route to school.

"We have asked the Highways Agency to proceed with the next stage, which will be to develop the preferred pedestrian footbridge option further, to set in motion the legislative procedures and to commission an environmental statement."