A27 Arundel Bypass Consultation Opens

Between the 11th January and 8th March 2022 National Highways are wanting feedback & comments on their statutory consultation. The route alignment was previously announced in 2020 as the “Grey Route” upon consultations in 2019/2020.

In this consultation the route has been refined to much greater detail, whilst the route alignment as a whole will not change, the potential crossings, mitigation & junction design can be refined.

The biggest changes from the previous Grey Route design are:

50MPH limit & design between Fontwell Roundabout (East) & the Western tie-in
Bridleway Bridge relocated
Western tie-in majority redesigned
Alignment slightly further North by Yapton Lane to avoid complications with new housing development
Bridge arrangement at Binstead Lane & Torrington Lane
Viaduct has been chosen to pass across the Floodplain
Closure of Layby on Crossbush Bypass Eastbound.

The existing A27 which will be bypassed will be de-trunked, however what works will be done to the route is still under discussion with WSCC & SDNPA, so no plans have been shown in this consultation.

The revised plans

Starting at Fontwell East Roundabout, the speed limit will be 50mph due to the curvature of the road at the Western tie-in.
The current LILO (Left in Left Out) junction at Fontwell will have its Diverge removed, so traffic can only enter the A27 here, no exit.
The Right turn to the service road to properties on the Southern side will be removed and access to the service road will be made off the Old Arundel Road instead.
Bridleway Bridge will be slightly to the East of the existing bridleway, and a ramp will be provided for NMUs to access the existing A27 where further unannounced NMU improvements will be made.
Tye Lane will be severed in half like previous plans, but have a smoother entry onto the A27. Access to the industrial estate off Tye Lane will be LILO on the slip road. NMU connects along Tye Lane will be maintained.
The western tie-in would be lit, although the rest of the scheme will not (except eastern tie-in)

The A27 alignment past Avisford Grange Housing Estate will be moved slightly North. This will allow it to retain the existing access point off of Yapton Lane as well as provide room for planting between the new houses and road.
Golf Course will be severed & lose much of the course under the road. There are two options for the golf course. Option 1 is to reform the 18-hole course as a 9-hole course, and Option 2 is to reform it to 18-holes, but using additional land which is currently farm land. Both will be funded by the scheme.
Yapton Lane to have a bridge over the A27, there are two options here, either on-line or off-line.
Bridge at Binsted Rife which would also allow the public footpath to cross under at.
Super Low Noise surfacing at Binsted Rife near St Mary’s Church since the road is more exposed and noise barriers are not suitable for the landscape.

Binsted Lane would have a single bridge, which would double to be a “green bridge” with a wide grass verge where a public footpath also crosses over.
Tortington Rife passes under the road at a bridge

Tortington Lane passes over the A27 at a green bridge along with diverted public footpaths.
Arun Valley Viaduct would start just west of Ford Road
No junction or connection would be made at Ford Road

Viaduct turns into an embankment just West of the Arun Valley Railway
New Bridge over the Arun Valley Railway with public footpath & farm track passing under too
Crossbush Junction would be formed as a diamond dumbell interchange
Crossbush Junction would be lit

Layby on the Eastbound Carriageway to be removed

Future & Construction

Once this consultation ends, the information collected will be used to refine the proposed scheme & mitigation measures. This will form a report which will be submitted as part of the DCO (Development Consent Order) to the Planning Inspectorate who will advice the Secretary of State to give it a gohead or not. If the applications gets approved with no delays, then construction may start in 2024.

Construction is planned to take 3.5 years, so should be completed by 2027 presuming no delays. Works are split into three sections.