February 11th, 2020.


Newhaven Town Councillor Steve Saunders is taking Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils to task over proposed closures of Fort Road over a period of a month, to enable the delivery of pre-fabricated flats to the site previously home to the Newhaven Town Council offices.

It is proposed that Fort Road will be closed between Western Road and Gibbon Road for numerous periods, with traffic in both directions being diverted via Western Road and Gibbon Road.

Saunders explains: "I have received an email from East Sussex Highways Network Assurance Team stating that Fort Road is now going to be closed for not just a few days, but for up to 25 days, from the 3rd of March!

"This is an appalling situation for local residents, and will severely, and dangerously, affect drivers and pedestrians along the diversion route proposed.

"Western Road is effectively a single carriageway through much of its length, and with buses serving the school and community amongst the traffic being directed along the route, the chaos that will ensue cannot be underestimated.

"I raised serious concerns about the financial viability of this project from the outset, and I have similarly been drawing attention to the traffic management issues that I have long foreseen. My concerns appear to have been well and truly vindicated, and I believe shows the pre-planning of this project is sorely lacking.

"I will be sharing the information with residents and businesses, as it is only right that they are given ample time to plan their routes for up to five weeks of ad hoc disruption that they will face. In the meantime, I am trying to get more information, so that I am able to respond to any concerns raised."