VOTE: Are there too many roadworks in Worthing?
ROADWORKS in Worthing town centre have caused traffic hell for drivers and bus-users.
A section of Chapel Road, between Richmond Road and Chatsworth Road, has been reduced to one lane and temporary traffic lights have been put in place.
The situation is already causing lengthy tailbacks, particularly at rush-hour, with drivers reporting delays of up to 30 minutes.
Extra minutes
Sue Edgington, who runs Scrummies Sandwich Bar in Chapel Road, found her journey to work was taking an extra 20 minutes.
She said: "I was queueing in solid traffic all the way down Broadwater Road and over the roundabouts. It was a nightmare.
"You can ask any of the small businesses round here and they'll say that this, and all the other things like the traffic wardens, are stopping people coming to Worthing."
Jammed up
On Monday, January 5 Herald picture editor Malcolm McCluskey was caught up in the road chaos, part of the 850,000 Worthing town centre improvement scheme.
He had to wait 30 minutes in a lengthy jam along Richmond Road in a bid to reach the town centre.
Click here to see a larger version of the photograph showing the route he had to take.
Regular bus-user John O'Shea said he could not see how the work could be classed as an improvement.
The 80-year-old of Grand Avenue, Worthing, was waiting for a bus in Richmond Road on Tuesday morning.
What improvement?
He said: "I've never had it explained to me what the improvement is meant to achieve.
"It's definitely causing problems for drivers."
Khai Tran, manager of Star Nails in Chapel Road, said: "It has been very busy.
"Cars have been stuck by the traffic lights all day long."
Without a clue
Mark O'Keeffe commented on the Herald's Facebook profile and said: "They really have no clue, do they?
"Does anyone at the county council actually plan to completely mess up the town centre?
"Why don't they just replace the Welcome to Worthing signs with closed signs."
Lynsey Chidamwoyo added: "I'm looking forward to getting to work late tomorrow and being late to collect my kids from school – like the bus service needed any help with that."
Pavement pain
But despite people's already furious reactions to the roadworks, the situation looks set to get worse with pavement improvements starting in Teville Road, South Farm Road and Clifton Road on Monday, January 12.
The 70,000 West Sussex County Council scheme will be carried out in two phases over 10 weeks.
The first part will see new block paving laid on South Farm Road.
The second part is to improve the existing Tarmac and concrete pavements in Clifton Road, Teville Road and South Farm Road.
Road closed
South Farm Road, between Teville Road and the level crossing, will be closed for a period of time during the scheme.
Work will take place Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 5pm, and occasionally on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
Keep up-to-date with the regular changes to road works in Worthing by checking the county's website www.westsussex.gov.uk/majorprojects
Have your say
Do you think there are too many roadworks going on in Worthing at the same time?
Vote yes or no in the column to the right of the screen.
What do you think?
How have the roadworks affected your journey?
What should the council do to make the situation easier?
Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.
A full name and address is required if a letter is for publication. This can be withheld on request.
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Weather for Chichester
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 19 C
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