Council to review The Ridge junction

Gary Spencer-Holmes received a letter from the leader of East Sussex County Council confirming a review of the need for a roundabout at the junction of Elphinstone Road and The Ridge will take place in ‘late summer or early autumn’. There would also be a review of the need for a pedestrian crossing at Chowns Hill.

“It’s fantastic news that ESCC are going to be conducting such a review later this year and I’m very pleased to say that recently the receptiveness of ESCC to the residents’ requests for a roundabout and pedestrian crossing seems much more positive,” said Mr Spencer-Holmes.

“However, I would still urge local residents and road users to contact Cllr Carl Maynard directly to reinforce the demand for these much needed highways improvements to be undertaken.”

In a statement to the Observer, Cllr Maynard said: “As part of the Link Road scheme, money was allocated for complementary measures to address the potential impact of increased traffic levels on The Ridge.

“We did anticipate there would be some changes to traffic patterns and have already put in place some measures to address this, including improvements to the Queensway and Harrow Lane roundabouts.

“We also carried out traffic surveys before the Link Road opened and we are carrying out follow-up surveys which will provide a detailed picture of the impact of the road opening.

“It’s vital we take the time to properly assess the situation and ensure any measures we do put in place will improve traffic flow, and not hinder it.

“We haven’t ruled anything out but before we spend taxpayers’ money on a scheme we must make sure it’s going to have the desired effect of improving traffic flow in this area.”

Liberal Democrat Mr Spencer-Holmes called on activists from all political parties to work together to ensure the council consider the request for a roundabout at the Elphinstone and The Ridge junction and crossing at Chowns Hill.

“Various political parties and activists have been campaigning for nearly a decade for action on these issues,” he said.

“I seriously believe it’s now time we all joined forces to work together to achieve the highways improvements local residents so ardently desire.

“Residents’ needs and concerns are for more important than political manoeuvring and point scoring.

“Let’s engage together in positive politics; let’s get these issues resolved; let’s get the job done by unanimously letting ESCC know just how important it is to local residents and road users that these highways improvements are once and for all implemented.”

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