A27
A27 | |||||||||||||
Location Map ( geo) | |||||||||||||
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From: | Whiteparish (SU225237) | ||||||||||||
To: | Pevensey (TQ650051) | ||||||||||||
Distance: | 103 miles (165.8 km) | ||||||||||||
Meets: | A36, A3090, A3057, M3, A33, A35, A335, B3035, A334, B3033, A3024, A3025, A3051, M27, B3334, A32, A3, A397, A2030, A3(M), A2030, A3023, B2149, A259, A286, B2145, B2144, A285, B2233, A29, B2132, A284, A280, A24, A2031, A283, A270, A293, A2036, A23, B2123, A277, A26, A2270, A22, B2247, A259 | ||||||||||||
Former Number(s): | A26, A274 | ||||||||||||
Primary Destinations | |||||||||||||
Highway Authorities | |||||||||||||
National Highways • Hampshire • Portsmouth • Southampton • Wiltshire | |||||||||||||
Traditional Counties | |||||||||||||
Route outline (key) | |||||||||||||
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Route
The A27 is one of few roads that goes through just about every possible incarnation on its meander along the south coast. For most of the journey it's probably the most important road in the region, although driving along it you wouldn't notice.
Back in the sixties it was considered to be one of the most dangerous roads in the country. Thankfully, although much of the road is still substandard, many places have been given high-quality bypasses and upgrades, and the first 30 miles have been overshadowed by the M27.
History
The A27 has been subject to numerous upgrades throughout the years, particularly on its trunk section. These improvements have been of varying standard and appear to have had a variety of purposes in mind.
Notable locations
Southwick Hill Tunnel
The Southwick Tunnel was opened in 1996 and is located on the Brighton and Hove bypass between the junctions with the A270 and the A293.
Adur Viaduct
The Adur Viaduct was opened in 1970 as part of the Shoreham bypass and crosses the Adur valley along with the River Adur, near Shoreham-by-Sea in Sussex.
Opening Dates
Month | Year | Section | Notes |
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August | 2008 | Southerham - Beddingham improvement | S2+1 widening plus bridge replacing level crossing. |
June | 2002 | Polegate bypass | Dual carriageway bypass. |
1996 | Patching Junction Improvement | Dual carriageway realignment | |
1996 | Brighton and Hove bypass | Dual carriageway bypass completed | |
1993 | Crossbush bypass | Dual carriageway bypass | |
1993 | Westhampnett bypass | Dual carriageway bypass | |
1992 | Brighton and Hove bypass | Patcham to Coldean. Dual carriageway bypass | |
1991 | Brighton and Hove bypass | Hangleton to Patcham. Dual carriageway bypass | |
1991 | Pevensey bypass | Single carriageway bypass | |
1989 | Fontwell bypass | Dual carriageway bypass. | |
August | 1988 | Havant to Chichester improvement | Dual carriageway bypass on line of previous M27 plans. |
August | 1988 | Fontwell Bypass | Dual carriageway bypass. |
1980 | Portsbridge - Broadmarsh | 2 mile D3 dualling | |
1979 | Falmer Diversion | Dual carriageway. | |
1977 | Lewes bypass | Dual carriageway. | |
July | 1970 | Shoreham bypass | Dual carriageway bypass |
1970s | Arundel bypass | Single carriageway bypass of town centre. | |
1969/70 | Cosham and Farlington Bypass | Dual carriageway bypass | |
1965 | Havant bypass | Dual carriageway bypass | |
1958 | Wymering bypass | Dual carriageway bypass - Paulsgrove to Cosham | |
1957 | Fareham: Cams Hill Improvement | 30 foot single carriageway. The 0.5 mile diversion from the River Wallington (now Delme Roundabout) to St Catherine's Way was completed in the year to 31 March 1957 per the 1956-57 Roads in England and Wales Report. It opened as S2+1. The works were reported as in progress at 30 November 1956. | |
1940 | Chichester bypass | Original single carriageway bypass | |
1939 | Sompting bypass | Part built to avoid tanks needing to pass through the narrow village streets, only a short section was dualled then. | |
1939 | North Lancing bypass | Dual carriageway bypass from Manor Road to Upper Boundstone Lane, now in the middle of urban Lancing. | |
1926 | Cosham Spur Road | Short Link between Northern Road bypass and Havent Road | |
1782 | Old Shoreham Toll Bridge built | Replaced the ferry. Still used until 1970. |
Links
National Highways
- Polegate Bypass 2002
- Post Opening Project Evaluation - A27 Southerham to Beddingham Improvement - Five Years After August 2015 (archive.org)
Roads.org.uk
Pathetic Motorways
Motorway Services Online
BBC News