§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Highways Agency regarding safety improvements on the A27 in West Sussex; and if he will make a statement. [39533]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThere has been recent discussion between my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and the Highways Agency about the need for safety improvements along the A27 in West Sussex. We are fully committed to improving the situation and we are aware that there is a considerable amount of local concern about the accident record along this stretch of road.
For the short term the Highways Agency has implemented a scheme at the Boundstone College pelican crossing in Sompting and for the longer term they are considering the provision of a segregated crossing at this 327W location. In addition, a traffic and safety study of the Chichester Bypass is almost complete and cycle/footbridge is under construction on the Chichester Bypass.
Other proposed safety measures for 1998/99 are improvements at the Sussex Pad; the closure of certain central reservation gaps between Chichester and Worthing; a pedestrian movement study to identify sites for pelican crossings and pedestrian refuges; safety improvements to Burpham Road junction, Arundel; cycle crossing facilities between Chichester and Tangmere, and a study of options to improve traffic management and enhance journey time reliability through Worthing and Lancing.