Mixed views on National Highway's Arundel A27 bypass plans following further changes to Grey Route

National Highways last consulted on the proposed A27 Arundel Bypass in spring but has now opened a further consultation following a redesign.

The company believes this will address concerns about local roads becoming ‘rat runs’ and the impact on wildlife.

What are the changes?

Changes include attempts to reduce traffic impacts in and around Walberton. National Highways predicted an increase of 1,300 vehicles a day along The Street (east of Tye Lane) but believes the changes will bring this to 100.

A bat crossing has also been proposed nearby as further surveys found roosts.

Avisford Park Golf Club will be directly affected and, since the previous consultation, National Highways discovered the need for more woodland dormice habitat. This means the course will have to be changed to nine-holes with a driving range and practice facilities or may have to close completely.

Changes are also proposed at Crossbush after traffic modelling found ‘capacity issues’. These include a bridge to carry northbound traffic; a dedicated left-turn lane for approaching southbound traffic; and roundabout reconfiguration.

Council to respond

Arun District Council’s Planning Policy Committee considered the changes on Wednesday (7 December).

It is due to send a response to National Highways, pending approval by full council.

Members are ‘not confident’ that rat running has been resolved and challenged the accuracy of National Highways’ traffic modelling in light of new figures produced by Walberton Parish Council, which is opposed to the ‘Grey Route’.

Councillors did support a bat crossing, the Crossbush changes, and Yapton Lane proposals but said support for the bypass as a whole is conditional on a Ford Road junction.

Grant Roberts (Con, Arundel and Walberton) called the consultation ‘nothing but a tick box exercise’ and said locals had been left feeling ‘fobbed off’ by National Highways. He also claimed that the traffic figures are ‘inaccurate’.

Isabel Thurston (Green, Barnham) said the scheme was ‘too costly in every way’ and suggested that the council withdraw its support for the bypass altogether.

But chair Ricky Bower (Con, East Preston) discouraged withdrawing support for the bypass and said A27 congestion is currently ‘strangling the economy of Arun’.