Oral Answers to Questions

Tim Loughton Excerpts

Thursday 24th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con)]

What recent progress his Department has made on researching alternatives for alleviating traffic congestion on the A27 between Worthing and Shoreham.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Rachel Maclean)]

We have committed to improvements on the A27, including the sections around Worthing and Lancing. Highways England is working to identify options to go to consultation next year.

[Tim Loughton]

As anyone setting out for Chorley from the south coast will know, Mr Speaker, the Worthing to Lancing section of the A27 is one of the most congested roads in the whole of the south-east. In 2014, we were allocated £70 million as part of road investment strategy 1. Seven years on, with several thousand additional houses nearby and with a new IKEA attracting 2 million customer journeys a year about to open, nothing has happened. Now, apparently we have just been allocated £20 million in the Budget for delivery of something between 2025 and 2030. Could we please have a bit of levelling up for infrastructure in Sussex urgently?

[Rachel Maclean]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this vital issue. It is of course right and critical to get the right solution for the right place. Highways England is actively working on the project and, in particular, working closely with stakeholders, because this is a very sensitive area. I hope my hon. Friend will welcome the fact that Highways England is engaging and working closely with stakeholders on detailed options for the A27. There will be a consultation on all those next year.