'Total meltdown' on A27 in West Sussex as roadworks cause traffic chaos

Traffic was reduced to one lane, with dozens of cones in place, on the A27 eastbound – just past Lancing roundabout.

The works in Sompting were said to be causing tailback between Worthing and Shoreham on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 12 – 13.

Eddie Mitchell, a photographer in Sussex, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Total meltdown on A27 eastbound this (Tuesday) morning, 1.5 hours from Worthing to Shoreham, could also be tomorrow morning if not finished.

"One very wet sole workman putting in kerbstones – you really just can’t make this up.”

UK Power Networks explained that the lane closure was in place to allow for engineers to complete ‘underground cable repairs’ on Old Shoreham Road, Lancing, ‘to maintain reliable power supplies’.

After continued disruption on Wednesday morning, workmen began to remove the cones around 1.30pm on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for UK Power Networks added: “We apologise to residents for any disruption. Our team is returning the work area to normal and will remove the lane closure as quickly as possible.”

According to AA Traffic News, a road closure was in place due to water main work on Manor Road both ways at Greenoaks.

An AA notice read: “Long delays on A27 Old Shoreham Road Eastbound before A2025 Grinstead Lane (Sompting Roundabout). Travel time is around 30 minutes.”

Delays were reported on A27 Old Shoreham Road eastbound, with an average speed of ten mph.