Beer lorry overturns and blocks A27 Brighton bypass

A beer lorry has overturned on the A27 Brighton bypass causing significant delays to eastbound traffic.

The accident happened between the Hollingbury turn-off and Falmer shortly before 11.30am today (Friday 18 July).

Traffic queued from the bottom of the hill where the road bends sharply left back to the Hollingbury turn-off, with drivers diverting down Coldean Lane to Lewes Road.

Sussex Police said: “Some drivers who had had to wait reversed to travel the wrong way up a nearby slip road but this was not sanctioned by police.”

The lorry initially blocked both lanes of the road and it was unloaded before attempts were made to remove it from the accident scene.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service crews managed to shift the lorry to enable one lane of the A27 to reopen at about 1pm.

Inspector Phil Nicholas, of the Sussex Police Road Policing Unit, said: “Full closure of the eastbound carriageway lasted some 45 minutes at most.

“Thanks to the fire and rescue service, one lane was reopened as quickly as possible to get traffic moving.

“All diversions were taken off by 1pm and the eastbound carriageway reopened shortly afterwards.”

Inspector Nicholas said: “Just as we advise drivers to take warm clothing and hot drinks with them during the winter, it is sensible to ensure you have water and the means to keep cool when the weather is hot.

“We regret the delays caused by this incident but thank motorists who showed patience while everything was being done to get traffic flowing again.”

The Highways Agency said: “On the A27 eastbound between the junctions with the A23 and the A270 Brighton East, there are currently delays of 10 minutes due to an overturned vehicle closing one lane.

“Normal traffic conditions expected from 4pm.”

The cause of the accident is being investigated and anyone who saw what happened is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk.