Plan to close U-turn on A27 sparks anger in Lancing - 'Inappropriate and totally unnecessary'

This comes following the creation of a new roundabout on the A27 east of Lancing. Following months of roadworks, the development by National Highways was completed earlier this week to give access to the New Monks Farm development and ‘provide better links to Brighton City Airport’.

Now, National Highways intends to close the Hoe Court U-turn.

Peter Philips, route manager for the South East, said: "The Hoe Court U-turn closure is part of the developers proposals for improving traffic arrangements to serve the New Monks Farm Development.

"The scheme was assessed to offer the right balance between safely upgrading what is a busy junction and dealing with the congestion at the same time.

“We welcome all views and we will continue to work closely with all local authorities in the area."

Bill Freeman, secretary of the Lancing Manor South East Residents Network, said the 140 households and businesses who use this U-turn ‘unanimously object to its closure’.

He added: “They know it has had a good safety record for over 45 years. The New Monks Farm roundabout is already over capacity for traffic using the eastbound carriageway so this would be an additional two thirds of a mile on people’s journeys.

"It will have an impact on the environment and will become totally unsustainable. Such is the local opinion, 50 to 60 members of the local community have submitted objections to the National Highways consultation.”

Adur Residents Action Network chairman Barbara O'Kelly said the closure will create an ‘additional 12 tonnes of carbon emissions’ as well as the ‘extra fuel from more than 40,000 vehicle miles a year’, adding: “This diversion is not sustainable.

"For that reason alone, this closure should be seriously reconsidered.

"We are aware of significant adverse impacts on quality of life that local residents are experiencing. Frequent gridlock is affecting all A27 users including A259 in Shoreham, Lancing and Worthing.