The Government has refused to reveal how much money has been spent on bureaucracy connected with improving the A27.

Ministers have long talked about improving the road, especially at Worthing and Arundel, but few changes have been made in either location except for a new traffic light system at Grove Lodge roundabout west of Lyons Farm in 2005.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton believes tens of millions of pounds have been spent on consultations and inquiries which have produced no results.

He said: "There's been nothing done to improve the road but there has been a lot of money spent. Quite simply we need a bypass."

The MP tried to pin down the Department for Transport on an exact figure but minister Stephen Ladyman said he could not say how much has gone on consultations and enquiries in the past 12 years.

He said: "A number of studies relating to transport in the South East have included consideration of improvement to the A27 around Worthing but the costs cannot be disaggregated in the way requested."

Mr Loughton also asked the minister what the point of the consultations and enquiries was. Mr Ladyman replied: "(They) have addressed the transport needs in the South East as well as seeking solutions to traffic congestion both on the A27 and more generally in the town of Worthing."

Mr Loughton quizzed the minister after meeting with residents living around the Grove Lodge roundabout who are demanding changes.