Queues on new A27 roundabout 'beyond frustrating'

Traffic queueing on the A27 near Worthing
Queues of up to two hours have been reported on this stretch of the A27 [BBC/George Cardin]

People living near a new roundabout in West Sussex claim traffic lights installed as part of the scheme are causing long traffic delays.

The lights, at the roundabout near Shoreham Airport and New Monks Farm in Lancing, are said to be out of sequence, leading to tailbacks for motorists.

On Monday morning, rush hour delays of up to two hours were reported by BBC Radio Sussex.

National Highways said the signals are due to undergo a "final commissioning" after which the phasing may be altered.

Rachel Bell, who runs a cattery, said: "It's beyond frustrating!

"It's incredibly frustrating for our customers if they're coming from the direction of Worthing.

"We really struggle if we need to pop out into Lancing. It's not a five minute journey there and back anymore; it's half an hour."

Rachel Bell standing by the A27 in Lancing
Rachel Bell says customers at her cattery are being delayed by heavy traffic [BBC/George Carden]

Local resident Andy de Silva said: "I'm going towards Brighton. I'm going to be sat in traffic. When I come back, I'm going to be sat in traffic.

"My life revolves around trying to get back before the traffic builds up."

Paul Elvidge said: "It can take anything up to 45 minutes to get four miles down the road to Shoreham."

'Safety audit'

In a statement, National Highways said: “The signals at the new A27 New Monks Farm roundabout have been installed as per the planned design and will be monitored over the coming weeks in relation to how the designed phasing is impacting all users throughout the day.

"As part of this process the signals will undergo a final commissioning at which point any alterations to the phasing can be undertaken.

"Following the completion of the scheme a road safety audit will then be completed to ensure the new layout is operating as expected.”

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