Work set to restart on Eastbourne town centre pedestrianisation

Work to pedestrianise Terminus Road between Bankers’ Corner and Marks & Spencer began in September.

The roadworks, which were paused on December 19 and throughout the festive period, will also see Bolton Road and Langney Road transition to two-way traffic flow.

East Sussex Highways have confirmed that pedestrianisation works will recommence on January 5, 2026.

The changes aim to ‘enhance accessibility for pedestrians, increase visitor numbers, help local businesses and improve the public space’, according to East Sussex Highways.

Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “As well as creating a safer and healthier town centre, encouraging visitors and boosting the economy, the work we are doing will also support our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.

“The town centre has already benefited from extensive work carried out over the past few years and this latest phase of the scheme, which includes further pedestrianisation of Terminus Road, will add to the improvements already made and make it safer and easier for pedestrians and those using wheelchairs and other mobility aids.”

Phase 1 work was completed in 2019 around Eastbourne Station, part of Terminus Road, Cornfield Road and Gildredge Road, as well as the ongoing work around Victoria Place.

The works however have proved unpopular with traders, who stated that the pedestrianisation was ‘slowly but surely killing our business’.

Greg Rose and John Dale, owners of Maybugs in Terminus Road, shared a plea via Facebook to customers to ‘support our small independent business’.

In the video shared on October 31, the pair said: “We need your help and support.

"The roadworks in Eastbourne are slowly but surely killing our business.

"The current disruption has resulted in our Eastbourne store being 70 per cent down over the last two weeks.”