High Street work set to over-run

WORK to make Cliffe High Street, Lewes, more pedestrian-friendly is set to over-run.

Recent archeological finds also mean Lewes Carnival will be diverted away from the area today (Saturday).

Construction workers have unearthed the tops of old land drainage culverts and a disused gas pipe from the 1930s.

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East Sussex County County, which is behind the 500,000 scheme, said because of the discoveries it would not be possible to fill in the holes ahead of the carnival procession.

The parade will instead go via Phoenix Causeway.

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: 'We expect any delays caused by the culverts to be relatively minor but we are still investigating.'

The project is due to be completed by the end of October.

Shops and businesses are remaining open throughout the construction work.

James Cres, the co-owner of the Outdoor Shop in Cliffe High Street, was looking forward to the new pedestrian-friendly shopping area and had no complaints about the building work.

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He said: 'They've kept us informed and they seem to be getting on with things

'It's going to be great when it's done, so it's worth putting up with it now.

'I think it'll definitely be a lot more attractive when it's finished because the road was worn and all over the place before and we're glad it's getting done now.'

The council has estimated the changes will cut car use in the Cliffe by 70 per cent.

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It hopes to do this by creating a narrower road which discourages car use, cuts the speed limit to 20mph and gives priority to pedestrians.

The road will also be resurfaced and will have the same type of blocks as Cliffe Bridge.

Southern Water is also taking the opportunity to replace the water main between Cliffe Bridge and South Street and the company hopes the new pipes will reduce the need to dig up the street in future years.