Work has commenced on measures to reduce driver speeds as part of a programme to make roads in Conservative-led East Sussex safer.
Following an extensive review or the county’s A and B road network, 16 sites on East Sussex roads have been identified that could benefit from speed limit reductions or measures to make the existing speed limit more effective.
Last year Cllr Claire Dowling, Conservative Lead Member for Transport & Environment, took the initiative to invest more resources in local road safety measures.
Commenting on the initiative, she said: “We have agreed to invest £500,000 in our three-year Speed Management Programme and have carefully assessed all our A and B roads to ensure this funding is focussed where it will have the greatest impact.”
The detailed assessments which were carried out took account of the road character and environment, average speed of vehicles, level of vulnerable road users, facilities such as schools, shops and hospitals in the area, and the existing crash record.
Improvements that will be introduced include extensions or reduction in speed limits, Vehicle Activated Signs, road surface treatments, and new signage and lining.
Cllr Dowling, said: “The council has done a great deal of work in recent years to change driver behaviour and make East Sussex roads safer. This extensive review of our road network has highlighted sites where we can help further by reducing speed limits or introducing measures to make drivers more compliant.”
Public consultations on the introduction of lower speed limits at 13 locations across the county are due to begin in the New Year.
These schemes will be implemented over the first two years of the council’s Speed Management Programme. Further sites will then be assessed, prioritised and changes introduced in future years.
The work includes new measures that will be introduced on the B2087 in Flimwell, the A272 in Hadlow Down, and the A275 in Danehill, designed to improve compliance with the existing 30mph speed limits.
The 13 sections of road due to be consulted on for lower speed limits are:
- • B2169 Bayham Road, Bells Yew Green
- • A272 Curtains Hill/Main Road, Hadlow Down
- • B2096 Battle Road (Cade Street), Heathfield
- • A267 Mayfield Road/Wellbrook Hill, Five Ashes
- • A267 Mayfield Road/Heathfield Road (Cross in Hand)
- • A259 Pevensey Bay Road/Eastbourne Road, Pevensey Bay
- • A21 Sedlescombe Road North (near Harrow Lane), St Leonards
- • A268 Hawkhurst Road, Flimwell
- • A272 Station Road, Chailey
- • A267 Horam Road, Horam
- • A22 Horney Common Road, Maresfield
- • A269 Ninfield Road (Lunsford Cross) Bexhill
- • A272 Pound Green, Buxted/The Toll, Hadlow Down
Cllr Dowling added: “We will communicate with residents when the consultations on speed limit reductions launch, and I would encourage people to share their views with us when we do.”