January 3rd, 2025.



Newhaven MP James MacCleary has spoken out on worsening traffic congestion on the A259 in Newhaven. 

James MacCleary, MP for Lewes constituency, including Newhaven, explains: “Newhaven is a busy town and that is a good thing. It has always been the case that there is congestion during peak times and that was understandable given the major transport routes running through the town. However, now we are facing a traffic crisis in the town as long tailbacks and congestion have become common throughout the day.

“We have worked hard to change the perception of Newhaven and there is so much to be positive about including our new health hub in the town centre, a refurbished Fort opening in February, and new facilities on our seafront and ongoing discussions to regain public access to our sandy West Beach. However, this is all being undermined by the traffic crisis on the A259.

“There isn’t an easy solution, but I recently shared news that the Department of Transport may not even fund the very moderate improvements that were proposed as part of a recent study on the road. I am calling this a crisis as we need to see urgent and substantial intervention to improve the situation before the road just becomes a huge traffic jam putting local firms out of business and polluting our air.

“As a local resident in the town I see it every day and we need a real plan to deal with overloaded roundabouts and the pinch point on the swing bridge. Until we see real proposals to get the traffic moving, it seems understandably absurd for the County Council to be planning to reduce road capacity even further with new bus lanes. I am writing to the new Transport Minister and the County Council to ask for urgent action to fix this crisis.”