Pothole campaign victory: Chichester to Havant A27 finally to be repaired

Following weeks of campaigning to fix a stretch of road riddled with dangerous potholes, highways bosses have finally caved and announced plans to resurface the A27 between Havant and Chichester.
By STEVE PICKTHALL [email protected]
Published 4th Sep 2015, 16:58 BST
Many motorists have complained about the number of potholes on both carriagewaysMany motorists have complained about the number of potholes on both carriageways
Many motorists have complained about the number of potholes on both carriageways

In June the Chichester Observer and The News jointly launched a Time to Fill campaign, calling on urgent repairs to be carried out.

The high-profile campaign has been backed by West Sussex County Council as well as Chichester MP Andrew Tyrie, and today Highways England finally announced that repair work would begin next week.

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Resurfacing will begin on Monday to the eastbound carriageway between the Fishbourne Roundabout and the Warblington Interchange.

Our Time to Fill campaign, launched in June, has finally achieved victoryOur Time to Fill campaign, launched in June, has finally achieved victory
Our Time to Fill campaign, launched in June, has finally achieved victory

The carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am with the work expected to be completed by the end of September. Diversions will be in place via the A259.

Repairs on the westbound carriageway will then start once the eastbound stretch is fixed.

Gary Shipton, editor in chief, said it was extremely welcome news that Highways England had responded to the urgent demand for action from commuters and residents in the greater Chichester area.

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“I congratulate them on today’s announcement,” Mr Shipton said. “I also thank West Sussex County Council and its leader Louise Goldsmith for driving forward the matter and for so robustly supporting the joint media campaign run by the Chichester Observer and its sister title The News, Portsmouth.

“But I particularly applaud our readers and the community at large for so vocally making clear their concerns.

“Repair work is absolutely essential, the road surface is in a diabolical condition. It is appalling that it has been allowed to deteriorate to this point.

“The A27 is the main arterial east-west road through the engine-house of the British economy and for the safety of all drivers these works cannot be completed soon enough.”

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The campaign was launched after a driver lost control of his vehicle when he hit a pothole while his disabled wife and son where in the car.

Ian Collyer, whose family live in Bracklesham, suffered a tyre blow-out and said at the time: “The accident could have killed my family and other motorists.

“My son is still very reluctant to get in the car and I thought I may have had to call an ambulance for him as he suffers from epilepsy.”

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Related topics:ChichesterWest Sussex County CouncilHavantA27