Bexhill businessman '˜disappointed' with roundabout sponsorship

A businessman has said he is '˜disappointed' with changes being made to a roundabout he sponsors.
The area pictured in 2014 (Stock image)The area pictured in 2014 (Stock image)
The area pictured in 2014 (Stock image)

John Jones, owner of Bexhill Electrical, sponsored the roundabout on Sackville Road for four years through Keegan Ford, which finds sponsors for East Sussex roundabouts. He was told it would improve the upkeep of the roundabout with seasonal planting and for the first three years this was ‘more or less’ what happened.

However, Mr Jones said during the last year the roundabout had little to no maintenance except for occasional grass cutting, despite the fact the sponsorship ‘wasn’t cheap’ at £3,000 per year.

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“During this past year we have emailed to find out why little to no maintenance other than occasional grass cutting was being carried out at the roundabout and we were assured the planting would continue,” he said.

Mr Jones shared his dissatisfaction after seeing proposals for the roundabout, put forward by East Sussex County Council as part of a package of changes to the road layout.

He said he had previously questioned whether the roundabout would be demolished but was assured this was not the case.

The changes were approved by Carl Maynard, county council lead member for transport and environment at his lead member meeting.

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The council hopes it will improve conditions for pedestrians and bus users, while also enhancing traffic management.

“The improvements we’ve already made, and those to come, are all about improving pedestrian links between the seafront and the town centre, making Bexhill a more attractive place to live in, work in or visit, and boosting the area’s economy,” said Cllr Maynard.

“Improving the roundabout has always been part of our plan for this area.”

The original plan for the area, which saw predicted costs rise to £510,000 and included plans to replace the central island, were dropped last year.

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The revised plan is set to cost £175,000 and take around eight weeks to be completed.

“I understand that the council had to do what they had to do but nothing was done,” said Jones. “We wanted to create an awareness about the town.

“I would think twice about sponsoring another roundabout, only if I knew where my money was going and I thought that I was truly making a difference to the town.”

Mr Jones is withdrawing his sponsorship of the roundabout immediately.

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