Motorists in West Sussex can now enjoy faster and more convenient journeys to and from Littlehampton and Bognor Regis on the Lyminster bypass which opened today, Friday 9 May.
Because the bypass is on a floodplain, its design incorporated modelling using the latest flood level and climate change scenarios. To future-proof the road and protect its surrounding environment, a 225-metre viaduct was constructed to cross Black Ditch, an ancient waterway, instead of a standard bridge.
The new road features a Pegasus crossing so that horse riders, pedestrians, cyclists and farm traffic can all safely cross the road at the same set of traffic lights - one of the first of its kind to accommodate all four in the UK.
A shared footpath and cycle lane along the side of the road provides a safe and convenient route into Littlehampton and the new housing development for pedestrians and cyclists.
Councillor Joy Dennis, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for Highways and Transport said: “We’re delighted that the new bypass is open to traffic.
“It’s going to dramatically reduce the volume of traffic travelling through Lyminster and Wick villages and will make it much easier to get to and from Littlehampton for walkers and cyclists as well as drivers.
“We first presented the business case for this important addition to the West Sussex highways network as part of our Council Plan in 2015. It’s wonderful to see how all the consultation, planning, modelling and community engagement has resulted in such an expertly constructed road with so much care taken to protect the natural environment on this part of the Sussex coastal plain.”
Public and private funding
The 1.8-kilometre Lyminster Bypass was constructed in two phases, north and south. The southern section was funded and completed by the developer of the new Hampton Park housing development.
The northern section on the flood plain, that includes the viaduct and Pegasus crossing, was publicly funded. West Sussex County Council invested £31.32 million to construct this section of the new road. The Department for Transport contributed £11.79 million as part of its objective to create a safe, efficient and reliable national transport system that supports strong and productive local economies.
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood said: “This is a great day for West Sussex. The Lyminster Bypass is a brilliant example of how strategic infrastructure investment supports communities, unlocks new housing, and helps local economies thrive.
“I’m pleased that support will not only improve travel but will do so with real care for the environment and safety of all road users.”
Challenge of building on floodplain
The County Council worked with Jackson Civil Engineering to design and build the northern section. To build the viaduct, 96 foundation piles needed to be drilled through soft ground into the chalk base to support 121 horizontal concrete beams that each weigh up to 55 tonnes.
During construction, an area of poor-quality soil was discovered that could have cost £4 million to remove, but £2.7 million was saved by using a soil mixing technique to improve the strength of the underlying structure.
Steve Horton, Jackson’s regional director, said: “One of the most significant challenges of working on this floodplain was the structure of the underlying soils. This area is made up of ancient riverbeds that have silted up over time.
“The design and construction involved the implementation of various techniques to consolidate and strengthen the soils so that the road can be properly maintained in the future.”
Supports local economy
The £49.87 million investment is expected to boost the local economy by providing better access from the A27 into Littlehampton and the Hampton Park development of 1,260 new homes.
The previous route into Littlehampton along the A284 Lyminster Road passes through the villages of Lyminster and Wick with several sharp 90-degree bends and a level crossing that caused unreliable journey times. There were inadequate footpaths for pedestrians and, despite being within easy cycling distance of Littlehampton town centre, it was not a cycle-friendly route. The poor road access was a significant disincentive for businesses to locate in the area and made it harder for existing businesses to attract and retain qualified and skilled staff.
Councillor Paul Marshall, leader of West Sussex County Council said: “As part of our Council Plan, we are committed to developing large-scale infrastructure necessary to support economic growth well into the future, while also protecting what makes West Sussex such an attractive place to live and work.
“This new bypass, that has been carefully planned at every stage to both connect local businesses and communities and protect the natural environment, is a clear example of our ambition in practice.”