IAN HART: Haven't we been down this road before?

It was only the last paragraph that touched on the latest proposals for the A27, but that’s where the overwhelming feedback has come from in the past few days, be it to me in person, or as featured in this week’s letters pages. I made my opinion clear last week – a proposed four-lane dual carriageway stretching from Lyons Farm to Arundel is not the best option. The only piece of negative feedback I had from last week’s jottings was being accosted in Broadwater and told that my stance, and that of the people who share my opinion, was all about house prices. I don’t want a dual carriageway on the Warren Road because I think it will make it worse, not because it may or may not effect the price of my house. Critics of any potential by-pass cite the potential ten-mile detour rather than the proposed three-mile carriageway, but would you rather travel ten miles at between 50-70 miles per hour or crawl along at snail speed in heavy traffic along the three-mile stretch? And the supposed stance of one of our local MPs does have me puzzled. As I understand it Tim Loughton has verbally said he’s in favour of the through pass but at time of going to press he clearly states on the Conservative Party website that he is actively campaigning for a by-pass for the his constituents. Maybe going on recent events a town referendum might be the answer to the question. Have it at the same time as the local elections next May to minimise costs, but give the electorate of Worthing a choice between going through the town or by-passing it? A democratic process, and a result everyone would have to accept, whatever their opinions. --- Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.worthingherald.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Worthing.news 3) Follow us on Twitter @Worthing_Herald 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Worthing Herald - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.