Sunday 27 August 2017

And Now Its’ Arundel’s Turn.

We fail to understand how anyone could support any of the Arundel A27 options Highways England (HE) has put forward, when clearly their purpose is to create even more road space for through traffic to fill (1).
The Arundel Bypass Neighbourhood Committee (2) has eloquently put forward the clear case for rejecting option 5A. Hopefully we can get you to reject the remainder.
Like option 5A, 3 is also a dual 2 lane carriageway designed to 100kph traffic specification. It also requires two new over-bridges at the River Arun and Arun Valley Railway. These alien structures crossing the Arun Valley will not only be a blot on a cherished landscape, they will scar the priceless setting of historic Arundel.
Option 3 then deviates from 5A to bulldoze a 250 metre wide gouge through irreplaceable ancient woodland at Tortington Common. This option then requires four new under-bridges (Bridges in an ancient wood!) at Old Scotland Lane, Binsted Lane, Tortington Lane and Ford Road to complete the destruction of this tranquil corner of English countryside, before rejoining the A27 near Havenwood Park.
Option 1 and the last option given by HE, is also a new offline two lane dual carriageway from the Crossbush Junction. In this case it will join the existing Arundel Bypass east of the Ford road roundabout. It too requires new over-bridges at the railway and River Arun, again clearly both alien structures.
From the Ford Road Roundabout the single 2 lane A27 Hospital Hill will be dualled and join the existing dualled road west of The White Swan.
Just like Chichester and Worthing – Lancing the Arundel scheme is about one thing and that of course is through traffic. By spending vast sums on these grandiose schemes no money is left to repair existing roads, spent on public transport or cycling.
If we really want to move people and goods around more reliably and efficiently, those who can use other modes than the car must be encouraged to do so by providing an alternative and thus freeing up road space.
Please reject all the options as we did for Chichester and Worthing – Lancing.