West Sussex County Council (WSCC) set up the community group, Build A Better A27 (BABA27) in early 2017, in a bid to find a consensus for a workable plan for the A27 at Chichester following the collapse of the consultation process, and the subsequent loss of Government funding. Around 80 representatives of groups and organisations with views on the improvements have met on a regular basis to consider the way forward for over a year.

The County Council are now seeking the views of the public on a range of options for the A27 at Chichester as part of this work: https://haveyoursay.westsussex.gov.uk/highways-and-transport/build-a-better-a27/ (Deadline 29th March.) A spokesman for CPRE Sussex said they had serious concerns that the public was now being asked to consider the latest options with little background information.

‘All possible solutions should be assessed based on a weighted cost benefit which should consider cost, economic, environmental and consequential impact among other things, and this should be weighed against the potential benefits.’

‘Instead WSCC have felt it appropriate to allow a simple rating on a scale of 1-5, of how well they think the option might reduce congestion. These ratings have no credibility and are in danger of influencing opinion.’ One of the terms of reference for the County councils’ working group requires them to

“Ensure that an appropriate evaluation framework is used for assessment of the improvement options”

The Chichester CPRE Sussex group believes that the public questionnaire is simply not appropriate. Nothing has been costed, there is next to no detail and the public are being asked to provide a response in just 2 weeks. ‘

It is absolutely impossible to make an informed decision. The best solution is not necessarily the one that gains the most votes. Decisions should be based on information and solid evidence, none of which we have so far.’

The CPRE Sussex Chichester group has submitted a response to the options which can be downloaded below.