One of the South East’s top priority road schemes is to receive £11.8million funding from central Government, it has been announced.

The scheme for a bypass east of Lyminster and Wick in West Sussex is one of the top ten priorities Transport for the South East submitted to government for consideration as part of the 2020-25 Major Road Network upgrade programme.

The A284 is the primary route between Littlehampton and the A27 and is an important route for residents and businesses. Journeys in the area are often very slow along the narrow route into the town centre, with numerous delays caused by the Wick railway level crossing. The bypass would provide shorter and less congested routes and help improve air quality for local residents.

The proposed scheme will link up with the southern section of the bypass, which is currently under construction, to complete a new 1.1-mile single carriageway running to the east of Lyminster and Wick villages. The Department for Transport will provide £11.8m for the work, with the remaining £9.8m being paid by West Sussex County Council, Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and private developers.

Transport minister Baroness Vere said: “Local residents deserve quicker, easier and more reliable journeys in and out of Littlehampton and around West Sussex, and that’s exactly what this scheme will deliver, along with new jobs and houses and safer and better journeys for cyclists and pedestrians.

“This Government is committed to levelling up transport across the country, so that no matter where you live, you can get around easily and safely.”  

Cllr Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council and Transport for the South East partnership board member, said: “The Department for Transport’s financial backing for the project to build the northern section of the A284 Lyminster Bypass is excellent news.

“It shows confidence in the scheme which is designed to provide strategic north-south access to and from the A27 for residents, businesses and visitors alike, address congestion and remove delays caused by the level crossing at Wick.

A high-quality, reliable transport network is critical to our region’s economic recovery and future sustainable growth, so it’s good news that another of our top priority road schemes has received a major funding boost.

By speaking with one voice to influence where and how money is spent in our region, the Transport for the South East partnership is making a real difference for the 7.5m people who live and work in the South East.

Cllr Keith Glazier, chair of Transport for the South East