July 2nd, 2025.



Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions today, James MacCleary, MP for Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford, Polegate and surrounding villages, has called on the Prime Minister to personally intervene and unblock long-awaited funding to make the A259 and surrounding local roads safer for residents in Sussex coastal towns.

On Monday afternoon, a four-year-old girl was seriously injured after being struck by a car on Lewes Road, just off the A259 in Newhaven. Thankfully, she is now recovering in hospital.

MacCleary, along with residents in Newhaven, Seaford and other nearby communities, has long warned that local roads are dangerous and desperately need improvement. A fully costed plan for vital safety works has been submitted by the Council, but Government funding remains blocked.

James MacCleary, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, which includes Newhaven, Seaford, Polegate and surrounding villages, said: “Our coastal communities rely on the A259 every day. Local people and businesses have been raising the alarm about these unsafe and congested roads for years. We shouldn’t have to wait for a child to be seriously hurt for action to be taken.

“I am now asking the Prime Minister directly to personally intervene and ensure that this funding is unblocked so we can make our roads safer and ensure there is never a repeat of an incident like this.

“I am glad the Prime Minister has agreed to look into this personally, and I look forward to working with him on this.”