MP enlisted in campaign to slow traffic on the A259

There’s a 30mph limit on the stretch of road from the roundabout at Glyne Gap to the junction at Dorset Road but drivers are unaware of it, he claimed this week.

He is campaigning for traffic to be slowed down and says there is a need for calming measures or increased signage.

Residents inform him on a regular basis of vehicles speeding up and down and he says the trunk road “is used as a race track”.

He said: “In the last few months there have been two fatal accidents, and in recent times there have been four fatal accidents.”

Cllr Kenward on Friday met with MP Greg Barker, who has agreed to write to the Highways Agency’s chief executive to call for action to slow down the traffic.

Cllr Kenward commented: “In all honesty the average motorist gets on that road and doesn’t realise there is a 30mph limit.

“It is a very dangerous stretch of road. I have residents living on that road who report to me regularly every night it is used as a race track.”

He added that vehicles coming from the west travel along the A259 and come out of King Offa dual carriageway passing a 40mph sign, but that there is no indication after that. If, for instance, you are joining that road from Dorset Road or coming from Hastings Road there is nothing telling you it is 30mph.”

He would like to see Kill Your Speed signs up but says the Highways Agency, which has jurisidiction over the trunk road, has blocked that suggestion and will not give consent for signs to be put up.

He said: “I am delighted that Greg Barker has agreed to assist me in whatever way he can - bringing pressure to bear on the Highway Agency.”

A spokesman from the Highways Agency said: “In partnership with East Sussex County Council and the police, we recently conducted a review of the speed limit on the A259. On the De La Warr Road section this review demonstrated a high level of compliance with the speed limit, and current evidence does not support further safety improvement at this time.

“However we keep all our routes under review and will continue to monitor safety, and incidents, along the A259 De La Warr Road with a view to making improvement where the evidence supports such action.”