Five-week roadworks, overnight closures and temporary traffic lights in busy Eastbourne road

The works, to be carried out by East Sussex Highways, will begin on March 2 and end on April 12 and are part of the county council’s crossing improvement works in Friday Street near Oak Tree Lane junction.

According to Highways, road improvements will include a new pedestrian-controlled puffin crossing, railings, anti-skid surfacing and zig-zag road markings.

A Highways spokesperson said the road will remain open but there will be temporary traffic lights in place between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday.

The spokesperson said Friday Street will be closed from March 30 for four nights from 7pm to 6am between Penrith Way and Helvellyn Drive. Traffic will be diverted via Hide Hollow, Eastbourne Road, Rattle Road and vice versa.

According to Highways, the work is being carried out following a public consultation held last year in which almost 90 per cent of respondents said they were in favour of the proposals.

The county council’s Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said, “This is a very busy road crossed by children from local schools which doesn’t currently have a dedicated pedestrian crossing.”

Cllr Dowling said, “The consultation showed strong support for this scheme, which will make it much easier and safer for people to cross the road as well as improving visibility and creating a safer road surface.

“By keeping the road open through most of the work and carrying out the short part of the scheme which will require a closure at night, we hope to be able to minimise the impact on motorists and local residents.”

The spokesperson said the crossing island which is currently in place will be removed, with a temporary pedestrian crossing installed nearby throughout the work. Signs and cones will indicate where parking is restricted.

Cllr Alan Shuttleworth said, “This is the culmination of a very long campaign to make it safe to cross Friday Street. As county councillor for Langney I am pleased the work is at last starting. The traffic travels extremely fast along Friday Street and this new crossing will give pedestrians the opportunity to wait for the traffic to stop, and then cross safely.

“It will make it much safer for school children and the elderly but will be appreciated by all those who try to cross.”

There are currently temporary traffic lights in Friday Street today (Tuesday) in preparation for the March 2 scheme.