COUNTY NEWS: Hundreds pack out A27 action meeting

More than 750 people turned up to a meeting last night as part of an appeal to form an action group against plans to turn the A27 into a dual carriageway through parts of Sussex.
Hundreds turned out for the meeting at Worthing CollegeHundreds turned out for the meeting at Worthing College
Hundreds turned out for the meeting at Worthing College

The newly formed Bypass Not A27 Throughpass action group held the meeting on Thursday at Worthing College in Sanditon Way, Worthing, as part of their ongoing campaign to show residents a bypass would be more effective for congestion and morning traffic.

So many people showed up that a second meeting had to be held outside in the car park.

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According to the group, more than 300 homes in Worthing could be bulldozed to make way for the new lanes, despite a shortage of housing in the area.

Helen Silman, also of High Salvington Residents’ Association said: “Worthing is being short-changed. We deserve better, and will Worthing really benefit from this?”

Chairman of the group Jack Delbridge added: “If every person in this room wrote to their MP, it would generate enough interest for them to come along to a meeting.”

Chris Todd from the Campaign for Better Transport, urged people to look for alternative ways to help clear the roads.

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He said: “I will tell you, you are going to be in for a hard ride, because the council doesn’t want to spend more money.”

Many criticised West Sussex County Council claiming there was not enough communication with people, and a lack of public consultation.

There was also claims the plans had not been thought through with little consideration for junctions, most notably the Grove Lodge Roundabout which connects the A27 and the A24.

BBC Sussex traffic reporter Stephen Cranford said: “I am here as a Worthing resident and I have been studying traffic flow for 15 years. It is all about junctions, and I have got acres and acres of evidence that if the junctions are rubbish we will still have a queue.

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“The only difference is you will have a driver to the side of you as well.”

Anyone looking for more information can join the group with a £5 minimum membership fee at [email protected]

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