New safety measures for A21 blackspot

Cllr Bob Janes (Hurst Green PC) Cllr Sue Prochak (Rother DC) Mr Dan Cavaliere (Balfour Beatty Mott Macdonald contractors for Highways Agency), Greg Barker MP, Cllr Graham Browne (Chair of Hurst Green PC and Rother DC), Cllr John Barnes (ESCC) Ms Janet Ellis (Clerk to Hurst Green PC) and Martin Wright (Highways Agency). SUS-140515-131151001

Bexhill and Battle MP Greg Barker is among those who have welcomed the Highway Agency’s proposals to improve the stretch of the A21 at Hurst Green and Swiftden.

The Highways Agency presented the plans to a meeting of local councillors and residents at Hurst Green Village Hall last Friday (May 9).

Last October, Mr Barker called an urgent meeting with the Highways Agency following a number of serious and tragic accidents along this stretch of road to ask for action to improve the safety of the A21.

The Highways Agency have since carried out full studies of the A21 junctions with the A229, known as Coopers Corner, and the A265 to Etchingham.

Last Friday senior officials presented their proposals for improvements at the meeting in Hurst Green.

The proposals included recommendations for two roundabouts.

The Highways Agency is proposing to build a full roundabout at Coopers Corner and a mini roundabout in the centre of Hurst Green at the junction with the A229.

The Agency says both these schemes would improve traffic flow to and from the A21 as well as calming traffic entering and travelling through the village.

But those campaigning for improved safety measures on the A21 should not celebrate yet.

All the recommendations from the Highways Agency are subject to securing the necessary funding and will require strong support at all levels of central and local government in order for them to get the go-ahead.

But the good news is that in addition to these proposals, the Highways Agency confirmed that a scheme to improve road safety has already been approved.

A new reduced speed limit of 50mph will be introduced from the B2209 Ticehurst junction.

The scheme will include new road markings and village gateways for Hurst Green and the hamlet of Swiftsden.

Mr Barker welcomed the news - but warned that it was only the start of the process.

He said: “I welcome the very constructive and engaged meeting we had with the Highways Agency last Friday.

“They have listened to the community and now, at last, we have some real proposals for improving road safety on the A21 at Hurst Green.

“However, this is only the first stage in the process we now need to act as a community to lobby for these measures from the top down.

“I shall be making this my top priority and I urge local people to get involved too.”