Devonshire Square sealed off for revamp

And by Tuesday the upheaval was already leaving pedestrians, motorists and town centre traders feeling frustrated.

All week the Observer has been contacted by members of the public complaining about the loss of parking spaces, lack of information signs and confusing temporary footpath arrangements.

Shopkeepers are also concerned at the potential impact on trade during the course of the work, which is scheduled to last eight weeks.

The square will be closed to traffic for two weeks during that period with exact times to be confirmed.

But people will be able to pass through on foot, according to East Sussex County Council.

The parking spaces in the square and in much of Endwell Road were fenced-off this week for resurfacing and pedestrianisation.

Anyone crossing the railway bridge from Station Road found the steps leading to Devonshire Square also blocked.

Pedestrians instead had to double back half way up Endwell Road to negotiate an area of fencing.

It's the second major phase of the county council's town centre improvement plan, which has already seen St Leonards Road and Station Road made one-way.

The council says the parking spaces which will be lost in Devonshire Square have been made up by creating new bays in St Leonards Road and Station Road. It's envisaged that cultural, business and recreational opportunities will flourish in and around the new, motor-free square.

Workers began digging-up the surface this week and will begin laying the new slabs in the coming week.

The bus stop in the square will also be taken out of use until a new one by the station footbridge is in place. In the meantime passengers are being diverted to the nearest stop at the top of Endwell Road.

A county council spokesman said: "The current fencing is temporary and is only in place to secure the site until work gets properly under way.

"We always said this project was likely to cause some disruption and, while we try to keep that to a minimum, we would appeal to members of the public to bear with us while this important work, which should benefit the whole town, takes place."

The next major step is the resurfacing of footpaths on Devonshire Road, along with a host of other pedestrian-friendly initiatives such as improved bus stops and crossing points.