Chichester residents have been '˜denied a proper A27 consultation'

Dropping all other options apart from upgrading Chichester's existing stretch means a '˜proper consultation has now been abandoned'.
The Stockbridge Roundabout, one of the junctions around Chichester due to be upgraded. Picture: Paul Jacobs (120252-2) ENGPPP00120120122140438The Stockbridge Roundabout, one of the junctions around Chichester due to be upgraded. Picture: Paul Jacobs (120252-2) ENGPPP00120120122140438
The Stockbridge Roundabout, one of the junctions around Chichester due to be upgraded. Picture: Paul Jacobs (120252-2) ENGPPP00120120122140438

That is according to a campaigner who called Highways England’s shock announcement that a new northern bypass would not now be considered ‘devastating’.

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All seven route options were set to be taken forward to the public consultations before Friday’s U-turn - including two for a northern route, one partial southern route, and options for upgrading the junctions on the current road.

Chris Page from Best4Chichester said: “The way the whole thing has been handled is a scandal and a disgrace. Disappointed is not the word, I’m devastated.

“We were told all the options would be properly investigated and taken forward to the consultations.

“But now people have been denied the opportunity to see all of the routes, we will never know the cost and long-term benefits of all of them.

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“I’ve been getting some very angry emails from people, who are not necessarily pro northern bypass, saying this is a disgusting way to treat people and carry out a consultation process.

“A proper consultation has now been abandoned less than a month before it was due to start.

“It’s come out very late in the day and I think the game was given away somewhat by under secretary for transport Andrew Jones in his letter to (MP) Nick Herbert which said the northern bypass which would harm the Goodwood Estate would be dropped.”

Anti northern bypass campaigners, however, have welcomed the news.

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