The existing A27 Crossbush junction at Arundel. Credit: Crown copyright.

Highways England has unveiled a new plan to develop a £250m bypass for Arundel on the A27 in West Sussex, UK.

The four-mile long dual carriageway will complete the A27 route and is expected to reduce commuter journey times by nearly an hour and a half every week.

The existing A27 through Arundel is currently supporting nearly 150% of its capacity.

Around 21,000 vehicles use the A27 daily, which is estimated to increase to 26,300 in 2041.

As well as creating a vital new road, the preferred route unveiled aims to protect environment and cultural heritage in and around Arundel.

Highways England A27 programme lead Alan Feist said: “These ambitious plans will fill in a missing link on the A27, improving 21,000 journeys every day for drivers from Arundel and beyond.”

“These ambitious plans will fill in a missing link on the A27, improving 21,000 journeys every day for drivers from Arundel and beyond.”

The preferred route of the project is devised following a consultation period that ran for eight weeks last year.

Feist added: “Nearly 10,000 people took part in the consultation, and today’s announcement reflects their views and feedback.

“We will continue to work with people and take their views into account as we further develop the project’s design so we can deliver a project that successfully improves journeys, respects the environment and helps to enhance the historic town of Arundel.”

During the consultation period, 2,062 people attended the exhibitions, while around 3,000 people completed a questionnaire. Highways England received more than 7,000 responses by email or letter.

After completion, the project is expected to make journeys safer on the road as the A27 at Arundel is said to report an above average collision rate, with 14 casualties registered in 2016.

It is also expected to boost economic growth across the region as a result of improved journey times and efficiencies.