Parking restrictions in Eastbourne to change

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Plans to stop lorries using roads in Meads as a shortcut have been approved by the county council.

Residents raised concerns about heavy goods vehicles using The Village and Matlock Road to get to Meads Street after previous parking restrictions were approved in 2012.

On Wednesday this week East Sussex County Council’s planning committee approved plans to introduce staggered parking bays and a loading ban in Matlock Road, but the idea of losing seven parking spaces in Meads Street for a dedicated loading bay was dropped due to a number of objections.

Shopkeepers had complained the loss of the parking spaces outside their businesses would mean their customers would go elsewhere and there would be a drop in trade.

County councillor Steve Wallis, who lives in The Village, said the introduction of double yellow lines on one side of the road back in 2012 had just doubled its width, making it more attractive for lorries coming from Meads Street or Beachy Head Road.

“We have regular traffic coming through there and the increase has been significant,” he said.

Lorries are often stuck either in Coltstocks Road, The Village or Matlock Road, and Cllr Wallis said only last week police had to be called.

Barry Taylor, county councillor for Meads, said, “I think what the officers have come up with now is the alternative option, but I’m not convinced it would resolve the problems because there would still be difficulties of lorries unloading. This is not the total solution but it’s the best way forward.”

But one resident suggested staggered parking bays in Matlock Road could see lorries from Coltstocks Road becoming ‘totally stuck’ which could lead to a ‘nightmare’ if emergency vehicles are blocked.

The committee was discussing objections to a number of measures proposed as part of an Eastbourne-wide parking review.

After consultation with residents, the county council will proceed with a number of waiting restrictions across the town in locations including Commercial Road, Enys Road, St Annes Road, Rangemore Drive, Arlington Road/Old Orchard Road, Westfield Road, Kings Drive, Glynde Avenue, Sevenoaks Road and Firle Road.

Councillors amended or withdrew proposals for Beverington Road, Burton Road, Meadowlands Avenue, Southfields Road, Wharf Road, and Dursley Road, Winchcombe Road and Ashford Road.

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