§ Mr. Higginsasked the Minister of Transport if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the A27-M27 in the Worthing area.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFollowing a review announced in January 1978 I have decided that the cost of a new route could not be justified in the present economic climate. I am satisfied that with certain junction improvements the existing A27 trunk road can continue to provide a reasonable level of service for at least the next decade. In these circumstances it would be wrong to allow the present blighting effect of the preferred route on property in the area to continue.
The existing " protection " announced in June 1977 will, therefore, be removed and all the properties which the Department had acquired under the planning blight provisions will be sold as soon as it is practicable to do so.