Travel chaos on the A27 near Shoreham

A black Vauxhall Astra car and a Ford Transit van, both travelling westbound, collided near the Adur flyover shortly after 4am today.

The car caught fire and was ‘well-alight’ by the time firefighters arrived at the scene. No-one was seriously hurt.

Darren Wickings, watch manager at Worthing Fire Station, said: “It was severely damaged. We had to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels to fight the fire.

“The man driving the van got away with cuts and bruises, and was a little shocked.”

A diversion has been set up via the A283 Old Shoreham Road, the A259 Brighton Road, the A2025 South Street and Grinstead Lane, Lancing, rejoining the A27 at Manor Roundabout, North Lancing.

Shoreham and Lancing Herald reporter Joe Riddle is currently stuck in the diverted traffic. He said: “The traffic is as heavy as I’ve ever seen it. It’s nose to tail, there’s hardly any movement at all.”

The A27 had been originally closed in both directions. The eastbound lanes reopened at 5.12am but the westbound carriageway remains closed due to road and barrier damage.

Anyone who saw what happened or who has other information is asked to email [email protected] or call 101, quoting serial 109 of 23/9.