Lyminster Bypass opens

The new £49.87 million Lyminster Bypass is now open, providing a vital transport link between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis and easing pressure on nearby villages. Opened on 9 May 2025, the 1.8-kilometre bypass forms a key part of the A284 corridor and connects with the A27 at Crossbush.

Constructed in two phases, the southern section was delivered privately as part of the Hampton Park housing development, while the flood-prone northern section – including a 225-metre viaduct – was publicly funded by West Sussex County Council and the Department for Transport.

Designed to address severe flooding risk, the viaduct crosses Black Ditch, an ancient waterway, and was engineered using 96 foundation piles supporting 121 55-tonne concrete beams. A major ground engineering programme overcame poor soils and contamination, with soil mixing techniques saving £2.7 million in remediation costs.

The project also features one of the UK's first Pegasus crossings, allowing pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and farm vehicles to safely cross the road at a single point. A shared footway and cycle lane improves access into Littlehampton and supports sustainable transport.

The scheme, delivered with Jackson Civil Engineering and WSP, was designed with future climate impacts and local environmental sensitivities in mind. It is expected to support the delivery of 1,260 new homes at Hampton Park and unlock future business growth.

“This is a great day for West Sussex,” said Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood. “The Lyminster Bypass is a brilliant example of how strategic infrastructure investment supports communities, unlocks new housing, and helps local economies thrive.”