LETTER: Grayling's claims flawed

The Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, appears to be claiming in response to arguments for a Northern A27 that the cost of the Northern Options is too high because the existing A27 will still need improving/upgrading due to the high levels of local traffic which will increase with all the new house building in the area.

He also implies that, although Option 2 is over budget, new development (presumably on the flood plain between the proposed link road and Chichester) will compensate.

However, his argument is totally illogical and deeply flawed.

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Most of the proposed southern ‘improvements’ restrict locals from using the A27 effectively as a local road.

By turning it into a faster through road, its use as a local road will be severely diminished.

The current proposals, which remove the middle junctions or restrict their use, will result in:-

:: Much greater usage as local residents are forced to go up and down the entire length of the Chichester bypass to turn off;

:: Local rat running through Chichester and the Manhood;

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:: The eventual creation by stealth of another southern bypass with all the problems we have now.

Moreover a southern, southern bypass is estimated to cost nearly £600million!! And its creation will destroy any hope of sustainable options for Chichester and its surroundings.

A new, northern bypass is the most viable solution.

Anthony Tuffin

Solent Way

Selsey

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