Temporary pavement widening in centre of Hastings agreed

East Sussex County Council is to move ahead with a number of temporary walking and cycling schemes using coronavirus funding from the government.

On Monday (August 17), lead member for transport Claire Dowling gave the go ahead to explore seven walking and cycling schemes, which would be paid for by phase 1 of the Emergency Active Travel Fund – a £250m pot announced as part of the government’s Covid-19 recovery plans in May.

The seven proposals come from 15 possible schemes, which were put out for a short consultation process during lockdown.

In Hastings, the council is to look at widening the footway along the A259 between The Stade and Pelham Place.

A similar scheme for footway widening on the A259 between Warrior Square and London Road was considered to be unnecessary, as it would only cover a short distance.

The proceeding scheme saw little support from Labour’s Godfrey Daniel, however, who said he didn’t believe it would “make much difference”. 

He said: “I would much rather see money put into permanent schemes where we can really achieve things.”

Meanwhile it was also decided not to proceed with a partial closure of Rye’s High Street.

According to an officers’ report, concerns were raised about the impact on bus services.

The town council suggested addressing a pinch point in the vicinity of The George as two pharmacies had queues outside, with narrow pavements in the high Street.

The Rye Conservation Society supported suspending parking to widen the footway along the core stretch of the High Street, but the chamber of commerce felt any loss of parking would adversely affect trade.

Officers felt the partial closure was not acceptable to businesses, while widening of the footways was not now so necessary due to the slight relaxation of social distancing guidance.

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