News Date: Wednesday 12th October 2005
Minister refuses Tim's invitation to visit A27 traffic hotspot
During transport questions in the House of Commons yesterday, East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton called for the transport minister Dr Stephen Ladyman to visit Worthing to learn about the urgent problems facing his constituents using the A27.
The A27 is one of the most congested roads in Sussex and for the past thirty years those using it have been holding out hope that a bypass will be built to relieve the severe traffic jams that build up on a regular basis. West Worthing MP Peter Bottomley joined Tim in calling for the Government to take action.
Tim commented:
"The amount of traffic is increasing heavily year on year and this causes severe inconvenience, mobility problems and threatens business investment. The Deputy Prime Minister also made the problem worse by plastering houses all over our countryside.
"The Minister's response has been a consultation exercise that has yielded 10,000 replies but all he talks about are 'small-scale improvements'. I have asked the Minister to come down to demonstrate to my constituents that he is taking the problem seriously and is prepared to do something about the congestion on the A27.
"The A27 is a vitally important road for many people living in Worthing and Adur and the Government's failure to recognise the need for an urgent soultion illustrates once again their lack of comprehension about people's everyday needs."
ENDS
Note to Editor:
1) For the verbatim version of Tim's questions to the Transport minister please visit the Hansard web pages at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051011/debtext/51011-01.htm#51011-01_wqn0
Tim Loughton MP , 2005
