Week three: Bexhill's roads

While most discussion so far has concentrated on visible focal points of the project, some major changes are planned for motorists and pedestrians, as Mr Storkey and Cllr Starnes explain...

The protestor's view - Ron Storkey

Marina Court Avenue

The proposal is: "A new route will be formed along Marina Court Avenue by creating a shared surface for pedestrians and residents' vehicles.

This route is to be surfaced in resin-bonded gravel." The Next Wave's home page also asserts that "Marina Court Avenue will be maintained as a street allowing residents and visitors to park close to their houses and the seafront".

This road is also to be made into a cul-de-sac with no access or egress though the car park.

The above statements give rise to two main concerns:

Access for deliveries, services and, more importantly, emergency vehicles may prove unsatisfactory.

The changes to the road surface, with the pavements and kerbs being removed and the whole area being covered with resin-bonded gravel, will give pedestrians the impression that they are in a pedestrian precinct and that they have priority. They may be unaware that drivers, when exiting the road, will be forced to reverse out over this pedestrianised area as their only option.

As the Next Wave describes Marina Court Avenue as being "a critical pedestrian link to the seafront", many of these pedestrians will be excited young children intent on getting to the beach as quickly as possible. When reversing, a driver's visibility of the area close to the back of the car is limited, and small children in particular will be at risk.

The Clock Tower and The Bexhill Museum

The Next Wave proposal for this area states: "The introduction of shared space concepts on both Park Avenue and West Parade will reinforce the historic north/south route here and will co-ordinate with the Bexhill Museum Extension Programme and the Egerton Park HLF bid" (sadly this bid was not successful).

Has East Sussex County Council (ESCC), which has responsibility for our roads, agreed with this proposal?

The introduction of a shared space concept here (cars and pedestrians having equal right of way) will entail an unwelcome reduction in the absolutely vital availability of local parking in West Parade, Park Avenue and Egerton Road. Quite apart from the needs of visitors, many of the residents of this area live in properties without garages or parking spaces. How (and where) will these lost spaces be replaced?

A safe "shared space" may be attainable in a town centre with slower-moving traffic, but West Parade is a 'B' road with a long, straight (and fast) approach from each direction. For pedestrians to have equal priority with cars in the central part of this fast straight road seems fraught with unnecessary danger.

If the footfall from the promenade to the Museum really warrants ESCC creating a special road surface with traffic calming measures and the removal of many parking spaces, then I am sure that it would also justify the installation of a pedestrian crossing instead. This would be much safer and less disruptive.

Most people arrive at the Museum and the Park by way of the surrounding roads such as Park Road and Egerton Road. To direct people to the Museum and the Park from the seafront, all that is required is clear signposting on the promenade, (which is already planned) and a sign on the front of the Museum that can actually be seen from the seafront. At the moment visitors from the seafront can't see the sign until they arrive at the door.

NB: When considering the above changes to various roads it is important to remember that on July 11, 2008, RDC's Seafront Strategy Group agreed that: "No design proposals would be accepted where there was a potential loss in car parking space."

The Council's reply - Cllr Christopher Starnes

The road and pedestrian elements form an important part of the Next Wave scheme.

Marina Court Avenue is a critical pedestrian link between Devonshire Road, the seafront and the Colonnade area. The proposed works will allow better, universal pedestrian access along this strategic route, improving the flow of people to the seafront.

The Next Wave scheme affords us the opportunity to make improvements to pedestrian access which were highlighted through our consultation work with the public and by expert advice while at the same time, retaining the facilities for local residents.

The current scheme under consideration does not involve Marina Court Avenue being made into a cul-de-sac and will not prejudice the access or egress in this street of delivery, service and emergency vehicles.

This addresses Mr Storkey's concerns and we are pleased to be able to correct and reassure him on this point.

The road will not give pedestrians priority, but will be a shared surface.

There are numerous examples in other towns where shared areas for pedestrians and vehicles, particularly in areas which receive very little traffic, such as Marina Court Avenue, have been a great success.

It should be remembered the road itself has almost no through traffic, with the only cars present typically belonging to the small number of residents. Therefore any risk to pedestrians is minimal. The few cars which use Marina Court Avenue travel at very slow speeds and are likely to travel even more slowly owing to the changes being made to the street to encourage this shared use.

The works will allow pedestrians improved access to the seafront along this strategic route, while also allowing the small number of residents to use their vehicles to come and go freely.

Using the Next Wave scheme to promote the links between the seafront and Egerton Park area is a logical step. The Next Wave scheme should not be seen in isolation, but as part of a regeneration package for the whole of Bexhill which includes the newly refurbished and extended Bexhill Museum and our investment in the park. Presently, people moving along the seafront are not always aware of these excellent facilities. By sensible use of road design we can attract visitors to the museum and park and have them enjoy more of Bexhill's unique offer.

Signage obviously plays a part in this too, and Next Wave will be providing a brand new signage programme for the West Parade area which will be easy to follow, point out landmarks and provide safety information. It will also introduce consistency of design, rather than the large number of different, difficult to follow signs.

A crossing area for pedestrians will be created on West Parade, allowing people to move from the park and museum to the seafront in safety. This is something that was requested in our consultations with residents and seafront users.

Loss of parking spaces along West Parade will be kept to a minimum.Special bays at intervals along the promenade will benefit seafront users, allowing them to unload equipment near to the area of beach they are using, pick up or drop off passengers and prevent the need for double parking. The number of spaces overall will actually be increased as a result of the redesign of the De La Warr Pavilion car park.

Mr Storkey asks if East Sussex County Council has agreed with our proposals and it really goes without saying that they have been a key partner in this process, we have involved them at every step, as one would expect us to do when proposing works to the highway.

We would again like to thank Mr Storkey for raising these issues which allows us the opportunity to provide clarification and alleviate any concerns or misunderstandings which residents may have had.

What do you think? Are you happy with the plans as they stand? Log-in to leave your comments below.