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South Coast Corridor Multi Modal Study (SoCoMMS)

Background

The study focused on the diverse transport network which extends along Britain's south coast in a 150 mile arc between Southampton and Ramsgate in east Kent.

The study aimed to make recommendations for a long term strategy to address both passenger and freight transport movement needs on the key transport corridor along the south coast.

Recommendations

The consultants key recommendations are a considered package of measures which include:

• Improvements to the M27 including widening and junction enhancements
• Lyddon - Dover, capacity improvements on the final stretch of the A2
• Worthing - Lancing bypass
• Chichester bypass improvements
• Arundel bypass improvements
• Lewes - Beddingham, replace existing crossing with a flyover

Importance to Industry

The study area links the south coast coastal clusters and is vital to facilitate wider economic benefits and to promote economic regeneration and urban renaissance. With notable exceptions, such as Southampton Port, most freight movements are by road and generally between the study area and wider parts of the UK on a north/south axis.

Transport infrastructure announcement 9 July 2003 - industry views

The M27 is essential for regeneration of the south coast towns and to cope with increasing congestion. However, many of the problems are on the A27, which is mainly single carriageway.

We therefore welcome the announcement of climbing lanes, plus some widening and, albeit in a revised fashion, the A27 Beddinggham improvement. We also welcome the inclusion of the A21 Tonbridge to Pembury scheme in the Targeted Programme of Improvements, as this has been a long standing problem.

However, we are very concerned that he has rejected the following:

• A27 Worthing Tunnel
• A27 Chichester bypass improvements
• A27 Arundel bypass
• A27 Selmeston bypass
• A27 Wilmington bypass

It is important in FTA's view, that solutions are found to these bottlenecks on this vital southern trade route. Hopefully the improved access to Dover via the A2 and the A27 upgrade between the M27 and the A3 will be prioritised, which at the moment the Highways Agency will not be prioritising, will be reviewed in the near future.

Area Map:
Dates:	Reported: 10 September 2002
	Ministerial decision expected: Early Spring 2003
	Target date for completion of works: 2020

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Last updated: Wed Feb 4 11:40:31 2004