LETTER: Option 2 more expensive

In their letter HE have responded regards the A27 options.

In paragraph 4 of their letter they state: “Following the analysis work done, we have now been able to exclude a number of options that fall outside our budget range.”

But they appear to have forgotten that two of the northern options were in fact cheaper than option 2, and bearing in mind that the northern route is a much simpler route with a planned time scale of two years. While option 2, which is more expensive than the two northern routes, is going to take three or four years to complete.

You are also aware that there is going to be a large number of problems associated with option 2, which are not included in the proposed costs. As you are aware the longer the project, the more chances you are of failing to keep within budget, and the time proposed.

In paragraph 7 of their letter, I quote: “The public consultation was run over a period of ten weeks, across 16 venues to ensure that members of the public had the opportunity to attend. Public consultations are normally held over a period of six weeks, but it was felt that due to the time period an extended public consultation period was required.”

It was appalling that there was no public consultation in the village of Donnington, which would be the most affected area, and demolition of a large number of houses is required for option 2 of the southern bypass upgrade. There was a church hall in the village where an exhibition could have been held. Or was it having an exhibition in the village that is most affected in any of the options offered, HE were not ‘Brave enough to come’? Await their reply.

Mrs C Clarke

Selsey Road

Chichester