Highways England has announced plans for a £75 million upgrade of the A27 in Sussex.

Four junctions along a nine-mile section of the route between Lewes and Polegate will be improved, while a section of the Polegate bypass will be upgraded to a dual carriageway and walking and cycling facilities along the whole stretch will be enhanced.

Features include;

• Widening Drusillas Roundabout to improve journeys along the A27 and for north-south traffic at the junction.

• A new option for upgrading Wilmington junction, making it easier for drivers to join or leave the A27 and including a horse rider and cycle friendly Pegasus crossing.

• Widening a half a mile section of the A27 between the Polegate interchange and the Cophall roundabout to a dual carriageway, and an upgraded, signalised junction at Polegate.


• Near to the Polegate interchange, as a result of the consultation, introducing new proposals for upgrading the Gainsborough Lane junction by providing a right turn facility.

• Significant enhancements to the walking and cycle routes along this nine mile stretch of the A27, including a new pedestrian and cycle path between Firle and Polegate.

The plans were put to the public last year in a consultation, with 78% of respondents backing the need for improvements.

Highways England Project Manager Tom Beasley said: "I would like to thank everyone who took part in our consultation. It's great to see that there is such strong backing for improvements to this section of the A27, and there were some really good ideas put forward. People's input has helped to shape our plans and we've made some key changes to our proposals to make sure they deliver the biggest benefit.

"In particular we've prioritised improvements at Polegate including the Gainsborough Lane junction, over the Selmeston bypass option and introduced a new enhanced option for upgrading the Wilmington junction – all as a result of people's input. There will be an opportunity for people to see more detailed plans when we present the final designs at public exhibition events next year."

(LM/MH)