Up to three-year wait to fill A27 potholes

It could take as long as three years to resurface the stretch of A27 to the west of Chichester which has again become laden with potholes.
Potholes on the A27  between Chichester and Portsmouth back in 2015. Pic Steve Robards SR1514984  01-07-2015 SUS-150107-181407001Potholes on the A27  between Chichester and Portsmouth back in 2015. Pic Steve Robards SR1514984  01-07-2015 SUS-150107-181407001
Potholes on the A27 between Chichester and Portsmouth back in 2015. Pic Steve Robards SR1514984 01-07-2015 SUS-150107-181407001

The Observer approached Highways England, who manage the country’s major roads, to ask if there was a specific date for the A27 repairs.

In response a Highways spokesman said: “I can confirm that the resurfacing for this stretch of the road sits within our five year programme (running to 2020) and the stretch is inspected every seven days by the safety inspectors.”

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It follows a huge response to a story on the Observer website headlined: “Drivers call for a solution to Chichester A27 potholes.”

In the story, Observer sports editor said the number of potholes was getting worse and said Highways should do a ‘proper repair job of the whole stretch – not another patch-up’.

Among more than 100 comments left on the Chichester Observer Facebook page, Phil Matthews said: “The quality of the road surface on the stretch of the A27 between Chichester and Portsmouth is absolutely appalling in places and is a serious accident waiting to happen.

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“I travel that road daily as part of my commute and have been for 3 years now and have noticed a huge deterioration over that time period.

“It’s about time Highways did something to improve this main arterial route across the south of England.”

John Weir added: “If you’re referring to the craters that have appeared on the A27 then they are horrendous.

“Try riding a motorbike over them I and many other bikers I know have nearly come off our bikes because of them.”

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Following the joint campaign ‘Time To Fill’ run by the Observer and The News, Portsmouth, over the terrible state of the road in 2015, Highways carried out resurfacing work in September of that year.

However, since then the road has badly broken up again, leading to motorists calling for a more permanent solution.

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