Four junctions on a nine-mile section of the main south coast route, between Lewes and and Polegate, will be improved, Highways England said.

But proposals to upgrade Selmeston junction were withdrawn over public concerns about the impact on the South Downs national park.

The proposed plans will help to make journeys more reliable, ease congestion and improve safety along this section of the A27, especially at the key pinch points in Polegate and Wilmington.

Highways England Project Manager Tom Beasley said:  “People’s input has helped to shape our plans and we’ve made some key changes to our proposals to make sure they deliver the biggest benefit.

“In particular we’ve prioritised improvements at Polegate including the Gainsborough Lane junction, over the Selmeston bypass option and introduced a new enhanced option for upgrading the Wilmington junction – all as a result of people’s input.”