FAQs

The proposed scheme focuses on improving nine locations between the A259/B2132 Yapton Road junction (Comet Corner) and the A259/B2187 Bridge Road (Tesco) roundabout. Please refer to the main page of the consultation website to see details of the nine locations being consulted.

Road users are experiencing travel delays along the A259 corridor during peak periods and having road safety concerns about some of its junctions. The proposed scheme aims to relieve congestion on the A259, particularly for those who are joining from the side roads, and to address road safety concerns at the junctions as well as increasing junction capacity to cater for future travel demand.

The proposed scheme initially covered the A259 corridor between the A259/B2259 Flansham Lane and the A259/A284 Wick (Morrison) roundabouts. As the development work progressed, a prioritised list of locations for improvements was identified, concluding in the nine locations presented in the 2023 consultation.

Yes, however this was not found to be required for the A259 corridor between Bognor Regis and Littlehampton based on the traffic modelling assessment work we have undertaken.

The design has progressed further since the last public consultation in 2021 and we plan to submit it together with an Outline Business Case (or funding bid) to the Department for Transport (DfT) for approval in late 2023. If approved, the design would need to be finalised so that it is ready for construction and the business case updated. Both would have to be approved by the DfT before construction can start, hopefully, in summer 2025.

The DfT and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) are funding the current stage of the scheme development. These would need to be reviewed and approved by the DfT before we can proceed to finalising the design and updating the business case.

If the business case  is successful, it is anticipated that 85% of funding for the scheme would be provided by the DfT and the remaining 15% would come from local sources such as developer contributions and WSCC’s own funds. At this stage the scheme is estimated to cost around £37.5m (at 2023 prices). 

Some key changes have been made to the design proposals following feedback from the last consultation and the on-going design refinement. Further details can be found on the main page of the consultation website.

In summary, the key changes were:

1        Comet Corner junction

1. Location of the roundabout moved north of the existing A259
2. Two new toucan crossings added

4        Oystercatcher junction

1. Left turn exit only from retained section of Yapton Road to the A259
2. Removal of the proposed A259 westbound bus lane
3. Two new toucan crossings added

5        Church Lane roundabout

1. Vehicular access to/ from Crookthorn Lane retained
2. Removal of the A259 westbound bus lane and replace with new section of shared path on south-side of the A259
3. New A259 eastbound bus lane added
4. Two new toucan and pegasus crossings added
5. Improved footway provision along Crookthorn Lane

6        Ferry Road junction

1. Roundabout proposal was replaced with realignment of Ferry Road approach
2. Replacement of an uncontrolled crossing with a new toucan crossing

Other smaller changes were proposed at location 2 Public Rights of Way: Footpaths 166 and 165, location 3 Baird’s Business Park junction, location 7 Public Right of Way: Footpath 206, location 8 Clympwick foot and cycle bridge and location 9 Bridge Road (Tesco) roundabout and details can be found on the main page of the consultation website.

The proposal at location 10 Wick (Morrisons) roundabout was removed from the scheme following confirmation to proceed with the construction of the A284 Lyminster bypass.

The aims of WSCC’s Area Transport Strategy (please refer to West Sussex Transport Plan 2022 – 2036 for details) are to reduce the need to travel by car, increase use of sustainable modes of transport and upgrade some parts of the strategic road network where it does not meet current needs and/ or those arising from planned development. 

As part of this strategy this scheme is intended to be implemented alongside other schemes such as active travel improvements to make active travel a more realistic and attractive option for short distance journeys. 

The proposed scheme has many benefits for non-car users including:

• New bus only lanes which would allow buses to bypass general traffic at the junctions and thus improve journey time reliability
• New and safe traffic signal-controlled crossings for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

We anticipate some trees would have to be removed to implement the proposed scheme but we expect to replace them.

We are working closely with relevant statutory environmental bodies to investigate and assess the impact on the environment, wildlife and ecology, and how to mitigate the impacts as we develop the proposed scheme further.

No, but we will be preparing a full EIA for the work at Oystercatcher junction.

It is likely that there would be a need to build into undeveloped land at some locations to ensure a compliant design can be achieved. We will work with the affected landowners to achieve a sensible outcome.

Traffic signal controlled (or toucan) crossings would be provided on the main walking and cycling desire lines close to the proposed roundabouts to ensure safe and convenient connections to the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 2 along the A259 corridor.

The current speed limits along the A259 corridor change regularly, meaning drivers may be uncertain what the speed limit may be at any given location. Some of the current speed limits are not appropriate for the look and feel of the road, thus encouraging drivers to travel at inappropriate speeds.

The proposed speed limits were identified based on the road hierarchy (the look/feel of the road, and who is using it), existing speeds and collision patterns. They aim to provide a more consistent speed limit along the corridor while reducing speeds at junctions and crossings where conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists may be more frequent.

We are currently finalising the OBC development and this is an opportunity for you to comment on the design proposals before the OBC it is submitted to the DfT for approval in late 2023.

If approved, we will then move to finalise the design so that it is ready for construction and update the business case accordingly.

It is important to note that no funding has been secured to develop the next stage of the scheme yet. If we are successful, the indicative timetable going forward is:

• Outline design, planning applications and OBC development– the current stage
• OBC submission – late 2023
• OBC approval by DfT (not guaranteed) – spring 2024
• Full design and Full Business Case (FBC) development – 2024
• Tender for construction works – summer/ autumn 2024
• FBC submission – late 2024
• FBC approval by DfT – spring 2025
• Construction starts – summer 2025

We won’t have the answers until the contractor(s) have been brought in plan and develop the construction programme. However, it is likely that key junctions such as Comet Corner and Oystercatcher would be constructed separately due to the volume of traffic using the A259.

We know the A259 is a busy road and will make sure that the impact of construction works on residents, businesses, road users and the environment is carefully assessed, and mitigation measures designed before starting any construction works. This may include restrictions on working during peak periods, night-time working and use of light and noise mitigation measures.

We value your feedback. Your opinions are important to us and we would encourage you to make comments through the questionnaire. Closing time and date for responses was midnight on Sunday 23 April 2023.

We will not be considering or responding to any Facebook and Twitter posts as this is not a formal method of engagement.

If you require this information in an alternative format, such as large print or Braille, please contact us on 01243 642105 or via email A259B2L@wsp.com.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact WSCC’s Highways contact centre on 018001 01243 642105.