A27 Chichester bypass

The A27 Chichester bypass scheme is being developed to improve safety for all road users, including cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. Our proposals will also seek to reduce congestion and create better connectivity. We also recognise the need to protect the environment and biodiversity.

Start date TBC

End date TBC

Cost TBC

Latest updates

08 March 2022

Understanding customer and stakeholder views early

To understand views early we held five Stakeholder Reference Groups (SRGs) and a Council Members briefing in November 2021.

The SRGs acted as a ‘regional voice’ and helped us to communicate information to a wider group.

We aim to hold further SRGs in summer 2022. If you would like to take part, please let us know via email at A27Chichester@nationalhighways.co.uk

Our Stakeholder Reference Groups report covers the key topics and considerations discussed at these forums.

Our March 2022 project update gives more information on the scheme’s development since our SRGs in November 2021.
04 February 2022

Identifying options for the scheme

To help us identify the best scheme possible, we welcome feedback and knowledge from local authorities and other key contacts within tourism, education, transport, businesses and environment.

By identifying these varying needs now, we can shape the Options that are currently being identified and developed by our design team. These considerations include the local plans of Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council, along with working towards a long-term solution for Chichester.

As this engagement continues and the options develop, we will be preparing for a comprehensive public engagement programme in 2023. At this point we will be encouraging everyone to get involved and have their say.

See more updates

Project information

The A27 Chichester bypass improvements project is one of 32 pipeline schemes being considered for possible inclusion in the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). This means there is no current commitment to carry out these proposals and it will be the government who will make any final decisions.

Whilst there have been attempts to improve the Chichester bypass in previous years, with a public consultation taking place back in 2016. The scheme was cancelled by the former Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP. The primary reason for the cancellation was due to there being no preferred route identified by those who provided feedback in the consultation.

We are now revisiting and assessing potential options to improve the A27 Chichester bypass as it continues to suffer from high accident rates, daily congestion, and extensive queuing at most of the junctions along this 5km stretch of road. With traffic due to increase by 24% by 2035 this situation will consistently worsen if there is no intervention.

The proposed A27 Chichester bypass improvement scheme aims to:

Improve safety for all

Improve road safety, as well as provide and maintain safe access for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.

Reduce congestion and deliver more reliable journeys

By improving capacity, traffic will flow better and deliver more reliable journeys.

Boost economic growth

With better connectivity to and from Chichester, we hope to improve access into the city and local tourist attractions. Providing easier access to jobs, education and other local facilities.

Care for the surrounding environment

Reduce or eliminate environmental impacts where possible and look for opportunities to enhance the surrounding environment.