Give us a crossing or kids could die

CHILDREN on their way to school are at risk of death or injury unless a crossing is provided at Alfriston Road, Seaford, town councillors have warned.

And worried members said they would reject plans by East Sussex County Council for proposed junction improvements at Sutton Corner.

These include a mini roundabout at the corner of Alfriston Road and

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Sutton Road and a wider pedestrian refuge on Alfriston Road so people can cross in two stages.

Cllr Ian White told the planning committee on Thursday last week: 'In the plans, there are no facilities for a crossing in Alfriston Road and bear in mind we have a number of schoolchildren using this area on a daily basis.

'I would like to propose instead of a mini roundabout we have a fully controlled crossing.'

Cllr Bob Sweetland said there would be a 12-month delay before any improvements were carried out and 'to me that is inconceivable'.

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'If this is a safety issue then it should be attended to immediately. Twelve months means, perhaps, serious injury or even mortality.'

The money for the improvements was supposed to come from Bloor Homes under an agreement between Lewes District Council and the developers

It is believed the design of the scheme cost the county council 35,000.

Cllr Eddie Collict said: 'This must be one of the most dangerous junctions and particularly dangerous for the youngsters crossing.

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'A mini roundabout is going to add to the problems not resolve them.

'East Sussex County Council has got money from the developers, Bloor Homes, and should make sure it is spent in the best way. The county council said it is too dangerous to put a crossing there. I think we write to say we are not happy and invite them to come to the next meeting and come up with an alternative solution.'

Cllr Tracey Willis said people were taking their life in their hands crossing at the junction.

She said: 'The money needs to be spent sorting out that junction. There are a million and one things wrong with these plans and an awful lot of the problems have not been addressed.'

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A county council spokesman said: 'It was not going to be built this year. It is not in the current year's programme to take the design forward because of other priorities.'

'We have consulted the town council out of courtesy and let them know what we are thinking of doing.

'Once we have re-visited the design following the meeting with the town council we will have a public consultation.'