Arundel bypass campaigners hold socially-distanced protest
It follows Highways England's decision on their preferred route for the A27 project
Campaigners and residents opposed to plans for a massive new bypass on the A27 at Arundel have gathered for a socially-distanced protest.
It follows Highways England's decision earlier this month to choose the 'Grey' route as their preferred choice for the multi-million pound road project.
Those living in the town, and the local villages of Tortington, Binsted and Walberton gathered at safe distances by St Mary's, the 12th century church at Binsted to protest against the latest announcement.
They have raised concerns the road would damage countryside and villages, bulldozing homes, business and wildlife, and severely damage Walberton, passing close to the school and recent new housing.
The group called instead for the community-supported Arundel Alternative proposal, which would involve building a 40mph single carriageway route rather than the 70mph dual carriageway currently being proposed.
More than 50 local people demonstrated, some with banners, alongside representatives from various transport and neighbourhood groups.
Rita Godfrey, of Arundel SCATE (South Coast Alliance for Transport and the Environment) said of the Arundel Alternative:
"It offers a much shorter and less damaging section of new, wide single carriageway, south of Arundel station.
"The Arundel Alternative is designed to ease congestion and minimise environmental damage, while being affordable.
"HE wants to build ever increasing traffic raising carbon emissions when we know we just can't do this in a climate crisis and can't afford it financially."
Campaigners have pointed to the responses in a Highways England consultation as proof that an alternative solution be considered, after 64% of respondents asked the authority to 'do nothing' or making improvements to the existing route - compared with just 7% expressing approval for the 'grey' option.
Akos Hudak and his family were just about to move into their newly built home, the first buyers at Avisford Grange, a new development adjoining the Avisford Park golf course at Walberton. He said
"The 175 home development was underway long before any suggestion of a Grey route. We are devastated.
"'HE told us it is possible they will want land from us to accommodate machines and even compulsorily purchase our land and house to destroy it.‘
'The bypass Grey option is mega-destructive,’ said Gilly McCadden from the Arundel Bypass Neighbourhood Committee.
"It would devastate Arundel’s landscape, the National Park setting and the Arun valley. It would cut through and destroy historic village communities at Tortington, Walberton and Binsted."