A £34M improvement scheme within the South Downs area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in East Sussex has been completed.

The A27 Southerham to Beddingham improvement has replaced the former level crossing on the Lewes to Eastbourne railway with a bridge, to make the route safer and reduce the delays to drivers caused by the barriers.

The scheme also includes improvements on roundabouts at Southerham and Beddingham, and widening the road between the two roundabouts, providing two lanes westbound and one lane eastbound. Glynde Reach bridge has been replaced and widened, and a cycling and pedestrian path lengthened.

The changes have been kept within the previous alignment of the road, thereby minimising the impact on the landscape.

The Highways Agency and Network Rail worked together on the scheme, after recently signing a memorandum of understanding.