New £50m bypass opens after delays

Members of West Sussex County Council opening the Lyminster Bypass

A new £50m bypass designed to divert traffic away from a number of villages in West Sussex will open on Friday.

Vehicles can begin using the A284 Lyminster Bypass (North) from 14:00 BST.

It was initially set to open in autumn last year but West Sussex County Councillor Joy Dennis said building work was delayed due to "the worst rainfall in 200 years".

Ms Dennis, councillor for highways and transport, said: "We're anticipating far less congestion and a much easier flow of traffic for residents and businesses to move from the A27 down to Littlehampton while avoiding the villages of Lyminster and Wick."

Ms Dennis also said the bypass would help to reduce waiting times caused by a level crossing in the area.

A recent image showing the viaduct section of the Lyminster Bypass as it neared completion

Built on a flood plain, the new road has a 225m (738ft) viaduct spanning Black Ditch, an ancient waterway, to allow for potential changes to water levels due to future climate change, the council added.

Steve Horton, regional director of Jackson Civil Engineering, said: "One of the issues we've had to overcome with this job is the existing ground conditions, because we're working on very soft, deep soil which are former river beds."

There is also a "very unique" Pegasus crossing on the bypass, allowing pedestrians, cyclists, horses and farm vehicles to cross the road.

"We're cutting through an existing bridleway, so we're accommodating the equestrian crossing and were aware it was also used by cyclists and pedestrians," said Mr Horton.

The opening of the road is the end of a ten year project, with initial planning beginning in 2015.