Arundel SCATE

Arundel SCATE is an independent local group established in 2014 when it became clear that the Government was committed to reviving the highly damaging Arundel Bypass.

Aims of Arundel SCATE

Process:

  • Full consultation by authorities on all A27 options;
  • To provide a platform for full and open public debate, based on evidence and full information provision;
  • Ensuring a conclusive result preventing recurrence of damaging proposals.

Outcomes:

  • Abandonment of Department for Transport A27 offline bypass options A and B;
  • Adoption by DfT of agreed sustainable and appropriate proposals for the length of the A27.

The links between the three study areas (Arundel, Worthing, Lewes-Polegate) are clear and individual solutions cannot be considered in isolation.

The group will consider drawing up sustainable proposals with professional advice, in the event of this not being forthcoming from DfT.

Local campaign on the news

Kay's message on A27-1

Kay Wagland with a message to the raodbuilders

Kay Wagland from Arundel SCATE was on Spirit FM on 7 July putting the case for traffic reduction rather more roadbuilding.

Alternatives to a dual-carriageway on stilts

Arundel SCATE have put together their ideas for alternative transport measures to reduce traffic and car use to relieve pressure on the A27 and so avoid the high cost (economically and environmentally) of a dual carriageway on stilts across the Arun Valley.  They issued a press release in June about this.

Impact of previous off-line dual carriageway proposals on ancient woodland

We have produced a map showing how the previous proposals for an off-line dual carriageway bypass would impact on ancient woodland.

ASCATE letter in March Sussex Local: March 2015

ASCATE letter in March Sussex Local: March 2015

The February issue of Sussex Local asked ‘Could Arundel have its
own Pont de Normandie?’. The answer of course is ‘No’. With £350m
allocated by government for road development along the A27, of which
£75m is ringfenced for work to the east of Lewes, leaving only £275m for
both Worthing and Arundel bypass proposals, the prohibitive cost of the
French bridge (£350m, 20 years ago) makes it impossible. If any bridge
is built across the Arun Valley, it will undoubtedly be of the usual
ugly concrete type that despoils so much of our countryside.

The idea of a stylish, and equally unaffordable, Millau bridge for
Arundel was previously raised by MP Nick Herbert in an attempt to
dissipate increasing local opposition to the Arundel bypass – opposition
that has clearly surprised him and other elected representatives in A27
Action. How could they have known that so many of us are unhappy about
it when they haven’t asked us if it’s what we want?

It is widely acknowledged, even by those favouring a new bypass, that it
will not benefit A27 traffic if measures do not address congestion in
Worthing and Chichester. The budget won’t stretch to that, especially as
roundabout works at Chichester are still only partly funded.

The whole set of proposals for the A27 is, in any case, a mess based on
outdated thinking.

There is no evidence to back A27 Action claims that the new roads would
provide local economic benefit, resolve congestion or cut pollution,
wider evidence-based studies showing the the opposite is very likely to
be true. Traffic in West Sussex is decreasing according to DfT figures
and our climate can’t take the emissions from increased traffic that we
all now know new roads brings and, it seems, A27 Action wants.

The limited money would be better spent on up-to-date solutions,
shown elsewhere to be effective and far better value for money. These
mean improving and integrating train and bus services to attract
commuters from Worthing, Chichester and other local areas, which are a
major source of local congestion. Local infrastructure improvements such
as remodelling junctions, particularly at Crossbush, and separated safe
walking and cycling bridges and underpasses will smooth flow around
Arundel and make short walks more attractive for schoolchildren and
shoppers.

We need to be forward-thinking in how we access what we need and where
we go, with new technology, flexible working and active travel, rather
than going back to old landscape-trashing tarmac again, which we know
doesn’t work.

Press Release on DoT A27 Feasibility Study 17/03/15

You may have seen that the Department for Transport has, at long last, published the A27 Corridor Feasibility Study.

Here is the Arundel SCATE response – Do let us know what you think.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New report  –  A27 road plans built on sand

Arundel residents reject the recommendations of the newly published report on the A27, deploring its lack of valid evidence and outdated thinking.

The A27 Corridor Feasibility Study, commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT), says there is a need to increase road capacity due to the predicted increase in traffic, but Arundel SCATE points out that the same predictions were made in the major 2002 A27 SoCoMMS study, which is referenced by this new report.  According to DfT’s own figures, whilst the economy has grown significantly since then, the predicted expansion in traffic hasn’t happened. Traffic levels in West Sussex have actually fallen since 2000. Traffic along the A27 itself has stayed about level.
Local businessman and Arundel resident, Simon Gray, is concerned by poor value for money of proposals. He points out that the traffic problems at Worthing and Chichester are far worse than those at Arundel and said: ‘There is no economic justification for  spending the bulk of allocated funds on a controversially damaging road scheme at Arundel, when a far cheaper and less intrusive scheme could relieve choke points here.’ He added, ‘Building such an expensive road so that traffic can arrive at nearby choke points at Fontwell and Worthing a minute or so earlier, seems a very poor use of public funds.’

The report, which was commissioned from US company Parsons Brinkerhoff last year, was asked to consider road improvements along the A27, and it draws  for its economic justification on a 2013 study, commissioned by Arun District Council (also undertaken by Parsons Brinkerhoff). Arundel SCATE says the 2013 study is of extremely poor quality.

The report recommendations have limited the A27 Arundel improvements to two options, both away from the existing road and cutting across the Arun Valley. The residents’ group wants to see other options discussed, to include junction and traffic flow improvements to the current A27. They see the potential for some of these to be more effective, better value and significantly less damaging than those recommended by the report. Options considering improvements along or near the existing A27 are rejected by the report arguing that this divides Arundel. However, it proposes creating a dual carriageway through Worthing, dividing the town to a far higher degree. There appears to be no analysis of start and end points of A27 journeys which would create considerable congestion on local roads.

Contrary to previous claims by elected representatives, the new report admits that building a dual carriageway bypass to Arundel does mean increased noise and air pollution, along with increased traffic volume. Other ‘adverse impacts’ include: wildlife, landscape, historic environment, carbon emissions and waterways.

Arundel SCATE Chair and local businesswoman, Sue White, says: ‘We all understand frustrations at peak times at Arundel, but these can be significantly improved by junction improvements around Crossbush and, of course, there is the new A259 road at Bognor which will impact on traffic in the area. Traffic is fairly free flowing for much of the time. People in Arun need investment in public transport for the majority who don’t have daily access to a car.’

Arundel SCATE member Jo Kemp, describes the report as narrow and old fashioned: ‘ It doesn’t seem to have learnt the lessons of the past, particularly on wasting money. It is disturbing that this study was not asked to consider an integrated plan for travel, but is just concentrating on hugely damaging new roads.’

Notes:

Arundel South Coast Alliance for Transport and the Environment is a group of Arundel residents concerned at damaging and outdated road proposals along the A27 and looking for better travel options.

Contact:
Arundel SCATE secretary:
Kay Wagland 07940 307603

Facebook: Arundel SCATE