A259 repair scheme takes a massive leap forward

Arun District Council’s cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, Ricky Bower made the statement this week.

It comes as West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for highways, John O’Brien, is expected to give his verdict on the A259 corridor improvement plan at some point this month.

It could see the go-ahead of the next phase of plans to improve the stretch between Littlehampton and Goring, including hot spots at Wick and Angmering.

Speaking to the Gazette on Tuesday, Mr Bower said he was delighted by the move, which had been postponed from last month.

“I think for the local road users it’s an enormous step forward,” Mr Bower said. “Although in the grand scheme of things it’s probably not as big a step forward as the likes of the A27 Arundel bypass.

“But this will certainly be welcome.”

The improvements have been drawn up by consultants Parsons Brickerhoff.

It covers six miles of the highway, from the Tesco roundabout at Littlehampton in the west, to Goring Crossways in the east.

An initial study by the organisation, released in 2013, claimed the project could cost about £13.5million.

New dual carriageway sections of the A259 are recommended along the Roundstone bypass, between the B2140 Station Road and the Angmering bypass, and along the eastern section of Worthing 
Road, Littlehampton, 
between the Body Shop roundabout and the proposed junction with the Fitzalan link road.

Other work suggested includes roundabouts at Lyminster Road, Wick, at the Tesco roundabout, at the Body Shop roundabout and at Goring Crossways.

Mr Bower added that the scheme would compliment other road projects, including the Lyminster bypass, Fitzalan Road link and A27 Arundel bypass.

If Mr O’Brien approves this latest phase,

It is anticipated that detailed designs and plans could be produced in 2015/16 with works starting in 2017/18, lasting for about two years.