Councillors approve Bexhill cycle route works

OnJune 11, East Sussex County Council’s planning committee agreed to implement a range of highways works intended to deliver a shared pedestrian and cycle route between Collington and Bexhill Enterprise Park.

All of the proposals considered by the committee, which largely took the form of new parking restrictions, had seen some form of objections raised by residents.

A proposal, which attracted 33 formal objections and an informal petition signed by more than 100 people, involved the painting of new double-yellow lines in Arthur Road, Piltdown Close and Downlands Avenue.

Most of the objectors raised concerns about the loss of parking, with some saying this would reduce house prices, cause issues for local businesses, disproportionately affect residents with reduced mobility and result in higher vehicle speeds on the road.

Objectors saw support from ward councillor Nuala Geary (Con), who said: “I fully support the Bexhill cycle route proposals in essence, but for me my concerns are coming from the place of the importance of ensuring that any of the proposals do not unnecessarily seem detrimental to residents who physically live in Arthur Road and Dowlands Avenue.”

She added: “Having spoken to a number of residents I am very aware of the visibility and the importance of keeping our cyclists safe, but I would urge that consideration is given to not having double-yellow lines on that part of Dowlands Avenue.”

Cllr Geary also raised concerns about enforcement of the restrictions and the possibility for parking to be displaced into the surrounding area.

In light of the objections, council officers recommended an amended proposal, which saw a reduction in the area covered by the double-yellow line parking restrictions.

The original proposal involved: 69 metres of double-yellow lines on the northern side of Arthur Road; 108.6 metres on the southern side of Arthur Road and Downlands Avenue; and 66.3m on the southern side of Piltdown Close into the northern side of Downlands Avenue.

The amended scheme sees the area covered reduced by 20.6 metres on each side of the Arthur Road and by 11 metres in Piltdown Close. Officers say these will collectively make room for eight parking spaces.

Officers said the overall proposal had been considered carefully in light of the objections raised and the restrictions had been reduced to the “minimum” level possible while also improving cyclist safety.

A decision not to implement the restrictions would result in the whole route having to be reconsidered, officers added.

The proposal was approved.

The remaining proposals were all also approved in line with recommendations from council officers.

These included the painting of new double-yellow lines: at the junction of Richmond Avenue and South Cliff; in Terminus Avenue at its junction with Collington Avenue; in Holliers Hill on both sides of the road west of Church Vale Road; and in Chantry Avenue at its junction with Holliers Hill.

The proposed restrictions also included plans to introduce a goods vehicle only loading bay next to the Tesco Express in Colebrooke Road and to replace a time-limited parking restriction in Down Road (outside King Offa Primary School) with double-yellow lines.

The committee also approved the removal of no-cycling prohibitions from several footpaths along the route. These include: a footpath linking Little Common Road and Arthur Road; a footpath connected to London Road; and a footpath connected to Holliers Hill.