Fears of being '˜trapped in Fishbourne' raised at second A27 consultation

The public exhibition held at Fishbourne Centre displayed five options for the Chichester Bypass which each aim to reduce congestion and extensive queuing.

However, some members of the public were concerned that the plans would in fact worsen their journeys out of Fishbourne.

One resident said: “I am concerned that if all of the traffic south of the bypass is forced to turn left and directed to the Fishbourne Roundabout we won’t be able to get out of homes.”

Jill Irwin, 71, from Fishbourne, said: “The plans need to take out the ‘no right turns’ aspect – that would be crazy.

“If all traffic has to turn left it will just put more vehicles onto the bypass for longer.”

Chairman of Fishbourne Parish Council, Geoff Hand, announced that whilst they have not officially backed one option, they have ruled out the ‘cheap and quick’ Option 3 – which proposes to install traffic lights at the four junctions.

He added: “We want a long term solution – this option is really just a set of traffic lights, it will control the traffic but not reduce it.

“We want to make sure that whatever scheme is chosen will reduce the number of people avoiding the Fishbourne Roundabout and using rat runs such as Clay Lane, not increase it.”