In a report to members of a select committee, published last night, council officers have recommended West Sussex County Council follow the advice of consultancy firm Systra in putting forward the northern route as a ‘preferred option’. A secondary proposal to Highways England will ask for a ‘full south concept’, upgrading all existing A27 junctions with no new road. The extract from the Environment, Communities and Fire Services Select Committee, which will make a decision on June 4, reads: “Recommendation: The Committee is recommended to note the outputs of the work by the BABA27 Community Group and Systra (sections 3 and 4) and to submit its views to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure on: (a) the desirability of the ‘mitigated northern route’ and the ‘full southern route’ options (section 4); (b) the suggestion that Approach C (i.e. promoting one of the two desirable options as a preference but also promoting the other one as a ‘reasonable alternative’) is taken to promoting a scheme to the Government for inclusion in RIS2, noting the ‘fallback’ position if no approach is selected (section 6); (c) the suggestion that the ‘mitigated northern route’ should be identified as the County Council’s preferred option (section 8).” More to follow.