A27 Worthing and Lancing improvement

One of a package of schemes to reduce congestion along the South Coast.

Start date 2024-25

End date Road Period 3 (2025-2030)

Cost £20 million

Latest updates

02 March 2021

Identifying options for the scheme

We have been working closely with key stakeholders to identify a package of potential improvements to meet the revised objectives in the government’s Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2): 2020 to 2025, to improve the capacity and flow of traffic on the A27 from Worthing to Lancing.

In the coming months, we aim to identify options for the A27 Worthing and Lancing improvements scheme, before holding a public consultation in spring/summer 2022.

By the end of 2021, we plan to publish a document which summarises all historic work on various larger-scale improvement options, including a tunnel, bypass and grade-separated junctions.

The A27 Worthing and Lancing improvements scheme was reviewed in 2019. It was re-announced with revised objectives as part of the government’s Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2): 2020 to 2025 in March 2020.

Further information on the RIS2 A27 Worthing and Lancing improvements scheme can be found below.
19 December 2019

Scheme under review

The scheme is currently under review and a further update will be provided soon.

The Report on Public Consultation has been published.

See more updates

Project information

The A27 through Worthing and Lancing is used for local journeys but is also an important route for long distance traffic and provides access to properties.

There have been some improvements along the route in recent years. However, there are many longstanding challenges around capacity, delays, journey time and reliability, safety and environment.

There is often congestion along a number of sections. The key bottlenecks are the junctions at Offington Corner, Grove Lodge, Sompting Road/Lyons Farm, Busticle Lane and Grinstead Lane.

As a result, traffic diverts away from the A27 to alternative routes that are less suited to high volumes.

The proposal is to deliver a scheme which would improve travel conditions, supporting objectives relating to safety, reliability, connectivity, economy and the integration of transport modes.

The aims of this scheme are to:

Provide a safer Strategic Road Network (SRN) – improve the safety and personal security of all road users along the A27 route
Enhance journey time reliability
Enhance the capacity, connectivity and the resilience provided by the A27 route
Deliver a package of improvements that complement local sustainable transport improvements, with the aim of providing a more integrated approach to travel.
Consider the needs of all users – reduce the community severance caused by the A27
Deliver better environmental outcomes – contribute to Highways England’s environmental KPIs, considering carbon emission targets, Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA), Noise Important Areas (NIAs) and the special qualities of the South Downs National Park (SDNP)