A development/transport strategy needs to be formulated which provides a pathway to ensuring that requisite road improvements to address existing problems and accommodate new development can actually be funded and delivered within an appropriate timescale. This is the stated objective of para 8.6 of this plan which is then negated by this and other provisions in this Chapter.

These comments relate to the adoption of the proposed ‘monitor and manage’ approach referred to in this paragraph.

As acknowledged in Paras 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4 of this Plan road congestion around the junctions of the A27 bypass is already a major concern for residents and business in the area. We are told in para 8.4 that in many parts of the area the road network is operating at or close to designated capacity.

The currently adopted Local Plan for the period 2014 – 2029 (paras 8.3 and 8.7) acknowledges this and envisages a package of improvements to upgrade six junctions on the A27 Chichester Bypass to mitigate the impacts of development.

The West Sussex Transport Plan (2022-2036) likewise acknowledges the need for significant improvements to the A27 to support this new local plan citing (inter alia) congestion on the A27 and A259 during peak periods (not limited to AM and PM peak hours) and rat-running on residential and rural routes to avoid congestion on the A27. (Transport Plan Paragraph 7.54 )

A27 junction mitigation issues are listed as a short -term priority (2022 – 2027) for the Chichester area (Transport Plan Paragraph 7.63).

Not justified – not an appropriate strategy:

Given that capacity on the road network is already at or approaching full capacity how can allowing further development under a ‘monitor and manage’ approach be justified? Further monitoring is not required to tell us about problems which are already widely acknowledged.

Not justified – lack of evidence gathered from local community:

This policy was not included in the 2108 Local Plan Public Consultation nor has it been publicised prior to its inclusion in this Plan. Evidence has not been gathered from the local community.

Not effective – improvements likely not deliverable during plan period through lack of funding:

There is no clear strategy set out to fund improvements identified by ‘monitor and manage’ so as to make this strategy deliverable (see comments on para 8.11 below).

Such an approach will exacerbate an already unacceptable situation which is damaging to the health and prosperity of the area.