November 11th, 2026.



Liberal Democrat County Councillor Lesley Boniface has criticised National Highways and East Sussex County Council over a lack of communication which saw major road closures affecting the same transport corridor earlier this week.

National Highways closed the A27 in both directions between the Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts on Monday night, while East Sussex County Council's Highways Department also closed Denton Corner roundabout, affecting access between Newhaven and Seaford.

The combined impact of the closures forced road users onto lengthy diversion routes, causing significant disruption for residents, commuters, businesses and visitors across the area.

Councillor Boniface said: "Residents will be rightly asking how two major highway authorities could allow this to happen at the same time. It appears there was little or no coordination between National Highways and East Sussex County Council, despite both closures affecting the same transport network.

"People travelling between Lewes, Newhaven and Seaford faced major inconvenience as a result. Diversions are already frustrating enough when they are unavoidable, but when two separate organisations create overlapping disruption on the same day, questions need to be asked.

"Local residents and businesses depend on reliable transport links. The lack of joined-up planning risks causing unnecessary delays, longer journey times and additional congestion on already busy local roads.

"Both authorities should have been speaking to each other well in advance to ensure the impact on the public was minimised. Residents deserve better."

Councillor Boniface is calling on both National Highways and East Sussex County Council to explain what discussions took place before the closures were announced and what steps are being taken to reduce the impact on local communities.

She added: "Roadworks and maintenance are necessary, and residents understand that. What they do not understand is why two public bodies responsible for our road network seem unable to coordinate their activities. Better communication and forward planning would have prevented much of the disruption."


Overnight works on the Denton Corner bus interchange scheme continue this week, with the A259 between Newhaven and Seaford closed every night from 7.00pm to 6.00am until Monday the 16th of November.